DENTAL CARIES

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Checking the teeth for cavities. Children (and adults) who have the habit of eating sticky, sugar-laden treats are at risk of developing dental cavities. Good dental care and avoidance of sugary treats can prevent dental caries (right).
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DENTAL CARIES also called cavities or tooth decay; the progressive destruction of tooth enamel and ultimately the tooth itself, through the action of bacteria on carbohydrates in the mouth

And, of course, eating too much added sugar promotes cavities, also known as dental caries. Individuals are especially at risk if they frequently expose their teeth to sugar by eating sweet snacks and “sticky” foods, sucking hard candy, or by slowly sipping sugary drinks. The more our teeth are exposed to sugar, the more the bacteria on our teeth metabolize the sugars and produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel and decay teeth. And cavities are not just a problem in childhood—85% of people 18 years and older have had cavities at sometime in their life.