Final answer:
Dental caries, commonly known as cavities, are caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acids from fermenting sugars, leading to erosion of tooth enamel. Key practices to prevent caries include maintaining oral hygiene, reducing sugar intake, and utilizing fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dental caries are caused by bacteria that produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Specifically, overgrowth of oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Actinomyces species, leads to dental caries, tartar, and gingivitis as a result of insufficient dental hygiene. These bacteria form a biofilm called plaque on the teeth, and when they metabolize sugars from our diet, they produce acids that can erode the enamel.
Microbial fermentation of sugars, particularly by the bacterial species Streptococcus mutans, is key in the development of cavities. These microbes break down sucrose, producing lactic acid that dissolves tooth minerals including enamel, leading to tooth decay. Regular dental cleanings, reducing sugar consumption, and using fluoride treatments are ways to prevent and manage dental caries.
When considering fluoride, it has been found to help rebuild and strengthen the enamel, reducing the incidence of cavities. It is important to note that fluoride intake should be at an appropriate level, as excessive fluoride intake can lead to dental fluorosis, not dental caries. High-fiber foods do not directly cause carbohydrates to stick to teeth more so than other foods, and it is the microbial action on fermentable carbohydrates that leads to acid production and tooth decay.