If the pH around teeth falls below 5.5, which process can start?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: Dissolving of enamel
When oral bacteria metabolise sugars, they produce acids that lower the pH near the teeth. Tooth enamel, which is mainly a mineral containing calcium compounds, begins to lose minerals when the surrounding pH falls below its critical value of about 5.5. Therefore option A is correct. The other choices do not describe acid attack or the chemistry of tooth decay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
Dissolving of enamel
Why is this the correct answer?
When oral bacteria metabolise sugars, they produce acids that lower the pH near the teeth. Tooth enamel, which is mainly a mineral containing calcium compounds, begins to lose minerals when the surrounding pH falls below its critical value of about 5.5. Therefore option A is correct. The other choices do not describe acid attack or the chemistry of tooth decay.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Science question. Chapter: Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour. Topic: Acids, Bases, and Salts.
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