This is a common frustration for parents that we get asked about a lot, and unfortunately, there is no easy answer. Tooth decay is a complex disease process that is dependent on many factors including oral hygiene, diet, salivary flow and composition, eating habits (including frequency of snacking and the time of snacking), genetics, and the particular types of bacteria present in the mouth. We urge parents to focus on those things that can be controlled, such as diet, oral hygiene, and regular preventive dental visits.