Work from Wenyuan Shi, Ph.D., and others ( published through the UCLA School of Dentistry), illustrates better care from current research.
In short, a food safe substance has been found and tested to significantly reduce cavity causing bacteria in the mouth.
"Streptococcus mutans" is a major bacterial agent forming the root cause of tooth decay.
http://www.nature.com/ijos/journal/v3/n1/abs/ijos20113a.html
S. mutans may also be involved in certain cardiovascular diseases.