Tooth decay happens when sugary and starchy foods stick to our teeth and are broken down by our natural oral bacteria. A by-product of this process is the release of small amounts of acid which dissolves tooth enamel. Over time, damage occurs leading to tooth cavities.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/news-and-features/healthy-snacks-that-wont-wreck-your-teeth