It starts with bacteria... |
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Thousands of bacteria live in your mouth, and most of them are beneficial. But a few are harmful, including the streptococcus mutans bacterium, the one responsibile for tooth decay. These bacteria thrive in plaque, a sticky film that's constantly forming on your teeth. |
Add starches, and the process begins |
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The S. mutans bacteria feast on starches in your mouth, then produce an acid that dissolves your tooth enamel, until eventually you have a hole on the surface of your tooth (a cavity). The only way to stop the decay process is for us to remove the decay and put in a filling material. |
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When you brush and floss properly, you're removing the plaque from your teeth, leaving little for bacteria to eat. As a result, their growth is slowed, and they don't produce the acids that lead to tooth decay. This is why it's important to remove plaque from your teeth each day. |
