The bacteria in dental plaque rely on the sugars in our diet for energy and to grow. When bacteria metabolise these dietary sugars, they produce plaque acids. These acids etch and erode the enamel on our teeth, producing tooth decay.
We can measure the amount of acid in our mouth by testing the pH of our saliva. Normal saliva has a pH level between 6.2-7.0. When plaque acid is present, the pH level drops.When it drops below 5.5, the plaque acids can decay enamel.
Chewing sugar free gum after eating will increase saliva flow and reduce the acid levels in the mouth faster.
The more frequently we eat foods or drink liquids that contain sugar, the more often our teeth are exposed to an acid atack.
If the sugary foods are also soft and sticky, it increases the risk of tooth decay, because these foods stick to the teeth.
Examples of foods that cause tooth decay include lollies, chocolate, cakes, sweet biscuits, deserts, dried fruit, muesli bars, several breakfast cereals, and even cough syrups.
Examples of drinks that are high in sugar and that cause tooth decay include soft drinks, cordials, Ribena, constituted fruit juices, and alcoholic drinks.
The best way to prevent tooth decay is to reduce both the amount and the frequency of sugary foods and drinks in the diet and drink plenty of water.
This applies to both adults and children. Infants that have constant access to sugary drinks or fruit juices in their bottles will also suffer from tooth decay. Although it is better than sugary drinks, milk can also cause tooth decay if the child has it too often.
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"What causes tooth decay?" was posted on Friday, May 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm.