Eating too much high-sugar or processed foods, especially those that tend to stick to the teeth or become lodged between teeth, can make tooth decay more likely to occur. Examples of these sorts of foods include sugary breakfast cereals, dried fruit, cakes and biscuits, chewy candies, bread, or sweetened dairy products. However, properly cleaning the teeth after eating can help eliminate this risk. Other factors beyond the food one eats’ can contribute to the likelihood of tooth decay. These include poor oral hygiene practices (such as going to bed without brushing your teeth), receding gums, smoking, frequent snacking, and a dry mouth.