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 standardize
the 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 neutralize
by the saliva, and the continuous standardize
will eventually result in formation of Dental
Caries.
