Decay is caused by plaque -- a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity or hole is formed in the tooth. The process happens especially quickly with sugar in liquid form. The most common culprits in our office is 100% fruit juice, sports drinks, and chocolate milk.

Decay occurs when plague, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and / or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel. The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing twice a day and flossing daily. Eating healthy foods and avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also ways to prevent decay.

Tooth decay is the disease known as caries or cavities -- a highly Preventable disease caused by many factors.

Plaque, the sticky colorless film of bacteria and food debris that constantly forms on the teeth, uses sugar as a food source to produce acids that, if not removed on a daily basis, slowly eats away the protective enamel surface of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth. These holes are known as cavities.

Four things are necessary for cavities to form -- a tooth, bacteria, sugars or other carbohydrates and time. Dental plaque is a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When you eat, the sugars in your food cause the bacteria in plaque to produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. With time and repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity forms.

A. During stress states, minerals from bones and teeth are returned to the circulation. The resultant dry, "lifeless" surface of the tooth attracts scavenging bacteria. Immune markers of scavengers stimulate the inflammatory process within the tooth. Tooth decay is immune-mediated inflammatory destruction of teeth infected with bacteria. Tooth decay is inflammation "out of control, a pimple of a tooth".

Dental quizzes, dental games and dental facts - Fun and educational dental quizzes, games and facts. Learn about good oral health with these free dental activities, coloring pages, brushing charts, tooth fairy certificates, puzzles, fun facts and more. Provides fun and educational dental games, activities, free printable coloring pages, tooth fairy certificates, crafts, puzzles, kid's brushing charts, fun facts, experiments and more. Fun for kids of all ages.

Dental decay is caused by plaque acids that gradually dissolve away the enamel and dentine of the tooth to produce a cavity. Dental decay is the same as tooth decay and is also known as ‘dental caries’. Decay damages your teeth and may lead to the tooth needing to be filled or even extracted

ANSWER: Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down, and a cavity (hole) is formed.

Tooth decay requires the simultaneous presence of three factors: plaque bacteria, sugar, and a vulnerable tooth surface. Although several microorganisms found in the mouth can cause tooth decay, the primary disease agent appears to be Streptococcus mutans. The simple sugars used by the bacteria are glucose, sucrose, and lactose. They are converted primarily into lactic acid.

Basically, some pathological problem or disorder causes a small blood clot (termed a thrombus) to form, stopping the flow of blood and therefore, starving the bone of oxygen past the thrombus. A similar problem occurs in the heart with a heart attack or in the brain with a stroke. In bones, oxygen starvation produces ischemia (loss of oxygen), actually causing osteonecrosis, or dead bone.

One serious form of decay among young children is "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay". This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant's teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay.

Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. See "Baby Bottle Tooth Decay" for more information. For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.