What causes decay?

Germs in the mouth change the sugar in food to acid. The acid can eat a cavity in the tooth. The decay has to be cleaned out by drilling and then the tooth has to be filled. Of course, a healthy tooth is the best tooth. So it is important to prevent decay.

Why do back teeth decay so easily?

The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they have small pits and grooves. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and stay there a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away. That's why sealants are so important. By covering the chewing surfaces of the molars, sealants keep out the germs and food that cause decay.

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This tooth decay information is edited from material published by the U.S. National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

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