Etiology: Sugars
It's not just WHAT, but HOW, children eat:
- Oral bacteria produce acids that persist for 20–40 minutes after sugar ingestion.
- Oral acids lead to enamel demineralization.
- Remineralization occurs when acid is buffered by saliva.
- If sugars are consumed frequently, there is insufficient time for the remineralization process to occur. The tooth is subjected to continued demineralization and the caries process progresses.
- If sugars are consumed infrequently, teeth are able to fully remineralize and the caries process halts.
