How Teeth Decay
Causes of tooth decay
The bacteria in plaque survive by digesting the foods you eat, specifically the ones that are broken down into simple sugars. These include candy and sweets, as well as other high-carbohydrate foods like pasta, bread, cereals, milk, dried fruits, juices, and sweetened drinks.
When the plaque bacteria digest these sugars, a chemical reaction occurs, and the bacteria produce acid.
The process of decay
In the best circumstances, saliva balances the effects of the acid. It helps wash away bacteria, neutralizes the acids, and replaces the minerals that were lost to acid attack. However, if you eat too many sugary or starchy foods or if you eat too often, your saliva can’t keep up with the bacteria. These conditions allow the bacteria to reproduce wildly and develop even thicker accumulations of plaque.
The accumulations of plaque keep saliva away from the tooth surface, and eventually the acids create a hole in the enamel layer of your tooth. This hole is called a cavity. Areas in the mouth that trap plaque are especially at risk for decay. These include the grooves in the biting surfaces of teeth, in between teeth, along the gumline, and on any exposed tooth roots.
How to avoid decay
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