PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY : What causes cavities?

When a team of archeologists recently came across some 15,000-year-old human remains, they made an interesting discovery: the teeth of those...

When a team of archeologists recently came across some 15,000-year-old human remains, they made an interesting discovery: the teeth of those ancient humans were riddled with holes.

So what causes cavities, and how can we avoid them? Mel Rosenberg takes us inside our teeth to find out.

Cavities are what you get from tooth decay -- damage to the tooth. Tooth decay can affect both the outer coating of a tooth (called enamel) and the inner layer (called dentin).

What causes decay? When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, cake, or candy stay on your teeth.

► Read Also : ORAL HYGIENE : How to prevent tooth decay in children?


The bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities.


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