What Causes Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a destruction of the enamel (outer surface) of a tooth. The decay occurs due to the action of bacteria that hides in the plaque. Plaque is the sticky and whitish film made up of sugary substances in mouth and mucin, a protein in saliva. The bacterial infection destroys hard tissues by producing acid that wears out the teeth. Tooth decay also called tooth cavity or dental caries, and its complications are the leading cause of tooth loss.