Dental Caries

Dental caries, also described as tooth decay, is a demineralization or an infectious disease caused by bacteria which damages the structures of teeth. The first signs of demineralization is a forming of small "white spot" (initial caries, incipient caries). It is not yet a cavity, the surface is still hard.

Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods especially sugar and starch into acids. The longer and more frequently sugar is in contact with teeth, the more likely this will happen. Sticky foods like toffee that take a long time to eat are major offenders. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating (the time when most bacterial activity occurs). If this plaque is not removed thoroughly and routinely, tooth decay will not only begin, but flourish. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities).

The resulting acidic levels in the mouth affect teeth because a tooth's special mineral content causes it to be sensitive to low pH. Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure.

Most cavities are discovered in the early stages during routine checkups. The surface of the tooth may be soft when probed with a sharp instrument. Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large inside the tooth and destroy the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can develop. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the internal structures of the tooth (pulp) and ultimately causes the loss of the tooth.