A great deal. Many scientists are studying ways of attacking the bacteria that dissolve the enamel by producing acid. Bacteria on the tooth surfaces demand carbohydrates (sugars and starches) for food. Therefore, if deprived of carbohydrates, these bacteria will have nothing to convert to acid, and so the enamel will not be penetrated.
We can go a long way towards starving these bacteria without cutting down on our sugar intake too much. The worst enemies of the teeth are all-day suckers, toffees, and sweetened chewing gums. Sweet carbonated beverages contain concentrated sugars. Also, the eating of pastries, pies, and biscuits should be limited.
Yet most children love sweets, and we do not like to remove them entirely from their diet. I meet this problem in my family by restricting sweets to a special treat once a day, but not just before bedtime, because children—as well as many adults—do not remove all toffee and cake from their teeth when they brush. It is preferable to see that the eating of sweets is followed by other foods like apples or carrots that cleanse the teeth rather than stick to them.
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
A cause of damage to the teeth that is mechanical rather than bacterial is teeth grinding. Nervous tension causes some adults and children to grind their teeth so strongly in their sleep or at other times that the enamel may be worn away. An alert dentist will usually recognize this symptom, and he may recommend that the person wear a rubber bit to protect the tooth surface from constant abrasion
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