Tooth decay (caries)

Tooth decay (caries) is the destruction of a tooth. It happens because a sticky film of bacteria (plaque) constantly forms on your teeth.

When you eat or drink foods containing sugars or starches (carbohydrates), the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth. This causes the tooth to break down forming a cavity.

Once the process has begun a cavity is not the inevitable result as treatment can prevent of reverse the process. 

Page last edited: 05 October 2008

Links from Scottish Dental

Title	Source	Type
Fluoridated salt- interim position statement Fluoridated salt in now on sale in scotland - fluoridated salt may be beneficial in preventing tooth decay so advice can be given to substitute fluoridated table salt for non-fluoridated salt at a family or an individual level. View details	Specialist Group	PDF Leaflet
National Dental Inspection Programme of Scotland 2007 Full text of the 2007 report on the 2007 survey of P7 children View details	NDIP Scotland	Report
National Dental Inspection Programme of Scotland 2006 Full report and PDF summary on the 2006 survey of P1 children. View details	NDIP Scotland	Report