Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting from the interaction
of bacteria that naturally occur in mouths and the sugars consumed
in diets.
Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as candy, cookies, soft drinks, fruit juices and even breast milk or baby formula, leave deposits on teeth. Those deposits bond with the
bacteria that normally survive in the mouth to form plaque. The
combination of sugary deposits and plaque forms acids that can damage the
mineral structure of teeth and eat away at tooth enamel, resulting in
tooth decay, also known as caries or cavities.
For infants, tooth decay is often a result of bottle feeding while sleeping. Infants that need a bottle to
comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a
pacifier. In older children, the best way to avoid unnecessary decay is brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental check-ups,
fluoride treatment and a healthy diet that limits sugar intake.