what causes teeth to decay
Tooth decay, also known as a cavity, or cavities, occurs when bacteria living in your mouth make acid that then begins to eat away at your teeth. Untreated tooth decay may cause infection, extreme pain and the loss of tooth. The decay process begins with the unnoticeable damage to the enamel of your teeth and then steadily progresses to deeper layers of the tooth, eventually leading to the pulp.
The top 10 causes of tooth decay include: Poor Oral Hygiene Practices: Poor oral hygiene not only includes brushing your teeth regularly, but not flossing regularly, not brushing your tongue, and not using mouth wash. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day â morning and night, but it is ideal to brush after every meal.
Eating sugary foods and beverages are easily preventable causes of tooth decay. Sugary foods that stay on your teeth feed bacteria and acid that eat away at the enamel of your teeth. The worst offenders are soda, candy, caramel, taffy, sugary cereals, and raisins. Avoid these products to keep your teeth healthy.