Your mouth is full of bacteria in the form of a sticky film called plaque. Whenever there is food in your mouth or the remains of food after eating, the bacteria use the sugars and starches in the food to produce an acid that eats away your enamel – the hard, outer surface of your teeth. The longer food remains in your mouth, the greater your chances for tooth decay. Common things like carbonated beverages provide a breeding ground for tooth decay. Each time you eat food or drink beverages that contain sugars or starches, the acid attacks your teeth for 20 minutes or more. Brushing your teeth and following with flossing is the best way to remove the acid and decay-causing plaque from your teeth.