brushing and flossing really worked you wouldn't have cavities most of us have been taught that if we brush and floss we won't have cavities but the reality is we still show up at the dentist office with cavities and we wonder what's wrong why didn't i do a good enough job we don't feel any pain and we're just surprised that the dentist is telling us we have cavities the reason we get cavities even when we brush and floss is because we have bacterial infections in our mouth brushing and flossing at best as an incomplete solution it's a way to help get rid of some of the bacteria but it doesn't really change the floor that's going on in your mouth long-term you need to introduce something like xylitol that's going to come in and interfere with the bacteria's metabolic process the easiest way to get xylitol is to use xylitol gum or mint after meal snacks or sodas if you added xylitol toothpaste into what you're using when you're brushing it's going to do wonders for you as well