Tooth Diseases
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 7.3.3
Tooth Hygiene
Brushing your teeth helps keep your teeth healthy.
Dental decay
- Many bacteria live in the mouth and feed on trapped food particles.
- The bacteria respire sugar in food and release an acid called plaque.
- Plaque can build-up and cause tooth decay:
- First the enamel breaks down, then the decay spreads down to more sensitive levels of the tooth causing tooth ache.
Teeth care
- Regularly brushing teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluoride helps remove trapped food and kills mouth bacteria, which stops the build-up of plaque.
- Avoiding acidic foods and drinks (like fizzy drinks and fruit juice) also helps prevent tooth decay.
Test yourself on Tooth Diseases
What is tooth plaque?
What is the first stage of tooth decay?