article_snippet: Various levels of decay affect different parts of the tooth, the initial stages wearing away at the enamel, while more serious forms attack the dentine and pulp, pictured .
article_snippet: Each tooth is classified based on how decayed Each tooth is.
article_snippet: Three components qualify as  different levels of decay.
article_snippet: Three components are: .
article_snippet: no tooth surface loss into the dentine, which is the layer under the tooth enamel, and no tartar.
article_snippet: The diagram above reveals the various stages of tooth decay.
article_snippet: This means decay can be prevented and there is no need resort to emergency A&E treatments when decay has already set in.'