Editing Tooth decay (section)

===Dietary sugars===
Bacteria in a person's mouth convert glucose, fructose, and most commonly sucrose (table sugar) into acids, mainly lactic acid, through a [[glycolytic]] process called fermentation.<ref name="Soro 2024"/><ref name="holloway1983"/> If left in contact with the tooth, these acids may cause demineralization, which is the dissolution of its mineral content. The process is dynamic, however, as [[Remineralisation of teeth|remineralization]] can also occur if the acid is [[Neutralization (chemistry)|neutralized]] by saliva or [[mouthwash]]. Fluoride toothpaste or dental varnish may aid remineralization.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Silverstone LM |title=Remineralization and enamel caries: new concepts |journal=Dental Update|volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=261–73 |date=May 1983 |pmid=6578983 }}</ref> If demineralization continues over time, enough mineral content may be lost so that the soft [[organic compound|organic]] material left behind disintegrates, forming a cavity or hole. The impact such sugars have on the progress of dental caries is called cariogenicity. Sucrose, although a bound glucose and fructose unit, is in fact more cariogenic than a mixture of equal parts of glucose and fructose. This is due to the bacteria using the energy in the saccharide bond between the glucose and fructose subunits. ''S.mutans'' adheres to the biofilm on the tooth by converting sucrose into an extremely adhesive substance called [[dextran]] polysaccharide by the enzyme dextran sucranase.<ref>Madigan M.T. & Martinko J.M. Brock&nbsp;– ''Biology of Microorganisms''. 11th Ed., 2006, Pearson, USA. pp. 705</ref>