Scary caries?

These nuisances are actually infections caused by a combination of sugar-containing foods and bacteria that live in our mouths. The bacteria act as a film that continuously forms on and around our teeth. Dentists call this plaque acid and that's the culprit that causes cavities.

While it's a very scientific process, the simple facts are - eating sugary foods and drinks (you know what we mean) causes plaque acids to jump in and attack tooth enamel. This attack rages on for around 20 minutes after eating and drinking, and that's ample opportunity to start a cavity. Over time, the cavity gets bigger until it reaches the dental pulp inside.

Believe it or not, the large majority of cavities are painless - until they reach the soft, sensitive, nerve-filled dentin. Ignoring cavities can lead you to the wonderful world of root canal or extraction. Nobody really wants that – so let's explore our refreshingly painless ways to fight plaque acid before it can get a grip. Read on.