Plaque is constantly forming on the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria and these will feed off the sugars contained within the food and drink consumed. The acid produced will then attack the teeth after eating, destroying the enamel and leading to tooth decay.

Children are most likely to develop tooth decay if they are:

• Brushing less than twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste – fluoride is a mineral used to prevent tooth decay
• Increasing the intake of sugar and other carbohydrates – these include but not limited to: sweets, biscuits, chocolate, fizzy sugary drinks and hidden sugars in cereals and fruit juices
• Not seeing the dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning – this leads children prone to tooth decay if they don’t see their dentist regularly