At Anchor Dental in West Portal, San Francisco, we use CAMBRA — Caries Management by Risk Assessment — to identify your personal risk for developing tooth decay. Instead of treating cavities only after they appear, CAMBRA helps us understand why they happen and what can be done to prevent them. With this evidence-based system, we evaluate your habits, diet, medical history, saliva composition, and oral environment to create a prevention plan that fits your daily routine and reduces future decay.
What is CAMBRA?
CAMBRA is a scientifically supported approach that evaluates the balance between the factors that cause tooth decay and the factors that protect against it.
It helps us determine whether you are at low, moderate, high, or extreme risk for cavities.
This system allows us to:
- Identify early signs of decay
- Understand the root cause of your cavity history
- Build preventive strategies tailored to you
- Reduce the need for future fillings
- Protect your enamel over the long term
CAMBRA is especially helpful for patients who brush well but still get cavities — it reveals the hidden causes behind decay.
Why tooth decay happens
Cavities don’t form from one single cause. They develop when acid-producing bacteria, dietary habits, and weakened enamel interact over time.
Key contributors include:
- Frequent snacking
- High sugar or acidic foods
- Dry mouth from medications
- Receding gums or root exposure
- Deep grooves in molars
- Inadequate fluoride
- Night-time mouth breathing
- Previous cavity history
- High bacterial activity
CAMBRA helps us measure each of these individually to understand your unique pattern.
What we evaluate during your Tooth Decay Assessment
We use a structured checklist to determine your risk level. Your assessment may include:
1. Dietary and lifestyle patterns
We look at:
- Snacking frequency
- Sugary or acidic beverage intake
- Coffee/tea habits
- Workout drinks like electrolyte solutions
- Night-time snacking
- Smoking or vaping
2. Medical and oral history
- Medications that reduce saliva (antihistamines, antidepressants, ADHD medications)
- History of dry mouth
- Past cavities or fillings
- Recent dental infections
- Receding gums
3. Oral environment
- Saliva quality
- Plaque level
- pH of the mouth
- Presence of white spot lesions
- Activity of cavity-causing bacteria
4. Protective factors
We also check what’s helping your teeth:
- Fluoride exposure
- Good brushing habits
- Use of xylitol gum
- Regular dental cleanings
- Strong enamel genetics
- Adequate saliva flow
The goal is to see how much your “protective” side outweighs your “risk” side — or vice versa.
Your personalized cavity prevention plan
After your CAMBRA evaluation, we create a simple, customized plan based on your risk level.
This may include:
For low-risk patients
- Routine cleanings
- Daily fluoride toothpaste
- Maintaining current habits
For moderate-risk patients
- Fluoride varnish at your cleaning visits
- Switching to a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste
- Reducing acidic snacks and beverages
- Professional cleanings every 6 months
For high-risk patients
- Prescription fluoride (5,000 ppm)
- Mouth rinses that reduce harmful bacteria
- Diet modification
- Xylitol mints or gum throughout the day
- More frequent cleanings (every 3–4 months)
- Saliva-boosting strategies
For extreme-risk patients
- Customized antibacterial rinse program
- Remineralization treatments
- At-home fluoride trays
- In-office monitoring of lesion progression
- Detailed dietary counseling
- Coordination with medical providers if medications cause dry mouth
Your plan is always straightforward, realistic, and designed to work with your schedule.
Why CAMBRA matters for long-term dental health
CAMBRA provides more accuracy than traditional “brush and floss more” advice.
It helps patients understand:
- Why cavities happen despite good brushing
- Why certain habits cause repeated decay
- How acidity from everyday foods affects enamel
- How saliva plays a major role in cavity prevention
- Why personalized prevention saves money long-term
Most importantly, it replaces trial-and-error dentistry with a clear, predictable prevention system.
CAMBRA for kids and teens
Children and teens often benefit the most from CAMBRA because early intervention prevents lifelong issues.
We evaluate:
- Diet (juice, snacks, sports drinks)
- Sealant needs
- Enamel development
- Brushing habits
- Orthodontic appliances (which increase risk)
We then guide parents with a step-by-step plan that fits home routines.
CAMBRA and San Francisco lifestyle factors
Many San Francisco patients experience cavity risk from:
- Frequent coffee, tea, and kombucha
- Tech jobs with all-day snacking
- Energy drinks during workouts
- Dry mouth from allergy or ADHD medications
- Stress-related mouth breathing
CAMBRA helps us tailor prevention specifically to real daily habits common in the city.
Common questions
Does CAMBRA take long?
No — the assessment fits easily into a routine exam visit.
Is CAMBRA only for patients with lots of cavities?
No. It helps any patient understand their risk early.
Can CAMBRA stop cavities completely?
Many high-risk patients experience a dramatic reduction in new cavities after personalized CAMBRA plans.
Do kids need CAMBRA?
Yes — early risk assessment helps prevent future dental problems.
Why San Francisco patients choose Anchor Dental
- Modern, science-based approach to cavity prevention
- Personalized CAMBRA plans for kids and adults
- Focus on long-term oral health
- Friendly, clear communication without overwhelming information
- Led by Dr. Esra Salihoglu Yener, DDS, PhD, with expertise in preventive dentistry
Our approach helps patients avoid unnecessary fillings through smart, targeted prevention.
Schedule your CAMBRA Tooth Decay Assessment in San Francisco
If you want a personalized understanding of your cavity risk — not guesswork — CAMBRA is the right approach.
We’ll help you protect your teeth with strategies that are simple, effective, and easy to follow.
