Dental caries refers to a condition where the structure of a tooth is damaged. The damage starts from the enamel at the surface and gradually spreads into the inner structures of the tooth.
Why does a tooth become decayed?
The
tooth surfaces are normally covered with dental
plaque. Every time food or drinks are consumed,
the bacteria in the dental plaque will metabolise the
sugars in your food to produce acids, which will cause
the loss of minerals from tooth surfaces.
Although
saliva can neutralize the acids and slow down the standardize
process, it takes a long period of time to do so.
If
we eat and drink frequently, the acid cannot be adequately
neutralise by the saliva, and the continuous demineralization
will eventually result in formation of Dental Caries.
