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Where on teeth does tooth decay often begin?
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dentistry
The practice of dentistry involves preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral disease, as well as correcting deformities of the jaws, teeth, and oral cavity.
Tooth decay, or caries, typically begins on the surface enamel of a tooth. It most frequently originates in specific areas where plaque can easily accumulate and harbor bacteria, particularly in the pits and fissures of the teeth and in the spaces between adjacent teeth.21
Once the decay process begins on the surface, it can progress through the dentine and potentially reach the pulp cavity. This destruction occurs when bacteria within the plaque ferment sugars and carbohydrates into acids, which then dissolve the minerals in the tooth's structure. Maintaining oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing is essential to remove this plaque and prevent the initiation of decay.213