Remember being told as a child to not eat candy or sugar because it will rot your teeth?  Have you ever stopped to think about what actually happens to your teeth when they begin to decay?

Tooth enamel, which is the hardest and most mineralized material in the body, is normally the visible outer layer of the tooth.  It is supported by the material that lies directly under it called dentin and varies in color and thickness.

Due to the intensely high amount of minerals in tooth enamel, it is also the easiest to become demineralized.  The demineralization often transforms into caries, better known as cavities.  The most common reason for caries is the interaction of sugars.  Soft drinks, candy, and juices full of sugar are the main culprits of caries.  The sugars chemically interact with the bacteria in the mouth to form lactic acid, causing demineralization.

So believe it or not, your mother was right.  Sugar rots your teeth.  If you think you have caries, contact your local dentist to have them treated as soon as possible.