What is tooth decay, and what causes it?
A. Tooth decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing starches and sugars like soda pop, candy, cakes, ice cream, and even fruit juices. Natural bacteria lives in your mouth and forms plaque. The plaque interacts with the residual sugar and starch particles to produce acids. These acids slowly damage tooth enamel by dissolving the mineral structure of the teeth, producing tooth decay and weakening the tooth.
Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities. Unlike other diseases, however, caries is not life threatening and is highly preventable, though it affects most people to some degree during their lifetime. Tooth decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars) like soda pop, candy, ice cream, milk, cakes, and even fruits, vegetables and juices. Natural bacteria live in your mouth and form plaque. The plaque interacts with deposits left on your teeth from sugary and starchy foods to produce acids. These acids damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving, or demineralizing, the mineral structure of teeth, producing tooth decay and weakening the teeth.
