Dietary carbohydrates play a siginificant role.
The types of carbohydrates and frequency of their ingestion are more important than the amounts consumed. Pathogenesis Dental caries begins on the external crown or exposed root surface of the tooth. Bacterial plaque, not food debris, causes caries. Plaque is not flushed away by the action of oral musculature or saliva. The role of saliva in preventing caries is in its buffering capacity, remineralization effect, and secretory immunoglobulines.