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The 51 pages that link to Tooth decay, each with the reason it gives.

• SucroseRelated: Oral bacteria use sucrose to produce acids and sticky extracellular polymers that promote decay.

• MolarRelated: The grooves on molars can trap food and make decay harder to clean.

• SalivaRelated: Saliva can counter caries by buffering acids and supplying enamel minerals.

• Dental plaqueRelated: Plaque acids can demineralize enamel and initiate cavities.

• ToothRelated: It progressively damages enamel and dentin, creating cavities.

• Tooth enamelRelated: Repeated mineral loss can progress through enamel into dentin.

• PaleopathologyRelated: Caries frequency helps investigate changes in diet and food processing.

• AcidityRelated: Acid produced in dental plaque dissolves mineral from tooth enamel.

• Oral hygieneRelated: Plaque and frequent sugar exposure help create the conditions for decay.

• FluorideRelated: Topical fluoride helps limit mineral loss during acid attacks.

• Sugar alcoholRelated: Several sugar alcohols are less readily fermented by cavity-causing bacteria than sugars.

• DentinRelated: Caries can pass through enamel and spread into dentin toward the pulp.

• Dental erosionCompared with: Caries involves acids produced by oral bacteria; erosion does not.

• Periodontal diseaseCompared with: Caries damages tooth structure, whereas periodontal disease damages tissues supporting the teeth.

• PeriodontitisCompared with: Caries damages teeth themselves, whereas periodontitis destroys their supporting tissues.

• ToothpasteRelated: Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent and limit this common form of tooth decay.

• Dental calculusCompared with: Caries damages tooth structure; calculus is mineralized plaque deposited on it.

• Dental pulpRelated: Advanced decay can reach the pulp and provoke inflammation or infection.

• Sugar substituteRelated: Replacing fermentable sugar can reduce one source of acid that contributes to tooth decay.

• XerostomiaRelated: Reduced saliva removes less acid and provides less remineralization, raising cavity risk.

• Added sugarRelated: Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks can promote the acid production that damages teeth.

• Sodium fluorideRelated: Preventing this disease is the principal reason sodium fluoride is used in dentistry.

• Soft drinkRelated: Frequent exposure to sugary, acidic soft drinks can contribute to tooth decay.

• ToothbrushingRelated: Brushing with fluoride toothpaste reduces risk but cannot erase the effects of frequent sugar exposure.

• Dental radiographyRelated: Radiographs can reveal interproximal lesions hidden from direct visual inspection.

• Fluoride therapyNarrower topic: Preventing and slowing this disease is the defining purpose of fluoride therapy.

• Personal hygieneBroader topic: Regular oral hygiene reduces plaque, one contributor to tooth decay.

• Root canal treatmentRelated: Deep decay can expose or infect the pulp, making treatment necessary.

• Water fluoridationRelated: Fluoride reduces the mineral loss that drives these lesions.

• XylitolRelated: Xylitol is used in oral-care products partly because many cavity-associated bacteria cannot ferment it efficiently.

• Fluoride ionRelated: Fluoride reduces the risk of this acid-driven mineral loss.

• Sports drinkRelated: Sugary, acidic drinks can expose teeth to conditions that promote decay and erosion.

• Dental extractionRelated: Extensive decay may leave too little sound tooth structure for repair.

• Diet sodaRelated: Diet soda lacks sugar for bacterial fermentation, but its acidity can still contribute to enamel erosion.

• DentistryRelated: Understanding caries explains why dentistry combines fluoride, diet advice, and restorative care.

• Dental traumaCompared with: Caries causes tooth breakdown through a disease process rather than physical impact.

• MaltitolRelated: Maltitol is less readily fermented by cavity-causing bacteria than sucrose.

• MouthwashRelated: Fluoride rinses can help prevent caries by strengthening enamel against acid attack.

• SugarRelated: Frequent sugar exposure can feed acid-producing bacteria that damage tooth enamel.

• CandyRelated: Frequent exposure to sugary candy can feed the bacteria that produce enamel-damaging acids.

• LactitolRelated: Lactitol is less readily fermented by many oral bacteria than sucrose, reducing its potential to promote caries.

• Pierre FauchardRelated: Fauchard discussed tooth decay and methods for treating its damage.

• Bubble gumRelated: Sugar-containing bubble gum can contribute to caries when consumed frequently.

• DentistRelated: Caries are among the most frequent conditions dentists diagnose and treat.

• ToothacheRelated: Decay can expose dentin or reach the pulp, triggering toothache.

• Dental fearRelated: Untreated decay can worsen while fear keeps a person away from care.

• Greene Vardiman BlackNarrower topic: Black investigated the location and progression of the decay that restorative procedures treat.

• Human mouthRelated: This common disease develops within the mouth and can damage teeth.

• Impacted wisdom teethRelated: A difficult-to-clean impacted tooth can contribute to decay in itself or the adjacent second molar.

• Sjögren's diseaseRelated: Reduced saliva weakens oral protection and raises the risk of tooth decay.