What causes cavities?

Bacteria: Simply, bacteria in our mouths metablolize the carbohydrates that we eat (simple sugars are their favorites) and produce acid as a result of their activity. The acid dissolves the enamel, causing the decay. Eating the right foods, and brushing/flossing right afterwards, helps break the cycle. Go brush now!

Strep mutans: Cavities are caused by the bacteria streptococcus mutans. These bacteria consume fermentable carbohydrates that are left on your teeth after eating (i.e. Sugar, white flour, soda, etc). The biproduct of the bacterial consumption of carbohydrates is dental plaque. This acidic plaque sits on the teeth and eats away at enamel, then into the underlying dentin, and eventually the pulp.

Many Causes: The streptococcus bacteria is a place to look for dental caries. Acid such as that found in soda can cause cavities. Also drinking something as healthy sounding as milk or juice before bed can be a cause. Could also be food caught between your teeth which did not get removed. Using an oral irrigator like water pik or hydrofloss may be helpful to make sure that food particles are not the culprit.

Cavities: There are three things that must be present in the mouth for a cavity to form. You have to have teeth, you have to have a carbohydrate rich food source and you have to have acid forming bacteria. When bacteria remain undisturbed on the surface of teeth and are well fed by sugars in our diet, they produce acid that brake down the enamel and dentin accessing the inside of the tooth causing a cavity.

Many things: Many things such as sugar, bacteria, bad hygiene can cause cavities.