Tooth decay occurs as teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars) like chocolates, sweets, ice creams, cakes, and even fruits, vegetables and juices. Oral cavity contains numerous bacteria and these bacteria forms plaque. The plaque interacts with deposits of food left on teeth from sugars and starch to produce acids. These acids in turn damage the tooth enamel over a period of time by demineralizing the structure of teeth, resulting in tooth decay and weakened teeth.

Prevention of Caries

Acids formed by plaque are usually countered by saliva in your mouth, which acts as a buffer. Dentists often recommend chewing sugarless gum to stimulate your flow of saliva. However, saliva alone is not sufficient to combat tooth decay. The best way to prevent caries is to maintain a healthy oral hygiene, which essentially translates to brushing and flossing regularly. Early damage by plaque can be countered by the use fluoride, which helps to re-mineralize the tooth structure. Fluoride is a regular ingredient of toothpastes to fight cavities and clean teeth. If you are at medium to high risk for cavities, your dentist may recommend special high concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses, or dietary fluoride supplements.