Pediatric Dentistry: Dr. Sara…
on April 26 2024 at 03:57 PM public
Tooth decay is a bacterial infection, in which bacteria of the oral cavity, the main culprit is Streptococcus mutans, metabolize dietary sugars to sticky polymers that allow them to adhere within a biofilm to the tooth surface. In addition, bacterial metabolism of dietary sugars forms acidic end-products that demineralize (i.e., soften) the enamel, the hard tooth outer surface.

If left unchecked, the bacterial infection will advance, burrowing deeper into the tooth structure, first into the den...  more