Is dental caries a disease?

Dental caries (also known as tooth decay or dental cavities) is the most common noncommunicable disease worldwide. Severe dental caries affects general health and often causes pain and infection, which may result in tooth extraction.

What causes dental caries bacteria?

Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental decay. Various lactobacilli are associated with progression of the lesion.

What disease causes dental caries?

Basics of Tooth Decay Tooth decay is caused by Streptococcus mutans (S mutans) bacterial infection. The cariogenic bacteria are transmissible from mother or caregiver to children.

How is caries treated?

A dentist can prescribe fluoride treatments like mouthwash or varnish to reverse early tooth decay. You’ll probably need a filling if you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth. If tooth decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the middle of your tooth, you may need root canal treatment.

How do caries develop?

A cavity is a hole in a tooth that develops from tooth decay. Cavities form when acids in the mouth wear down, or erode, a tooth’s hard outer layer (enamel). Anyone can get a cavity. Proper brushing, flossing and dental cleanings can prevent cavities (sometimes called dental caries).

How is dental caries transmitted?

Caries is a transmissible disease! Transmission occurs via saliva contact such as tasting or pre-chewing food. If mom’s bacterial level is high, transmission is more likely. Transmission can occur even before the first teeth erupt at about 6 months of age.

How are dental caries diagnosed?

The diagnosis of carious lesions has been primarily a visual process, based principally on clinical inspection and review of radiographs. Tactile information obtained through use of the dental explorer or “probe” has also been used in the diagnostic process.

What caries mean?

Definition of caries : a progressive destruction of bone or tooth especially : tooth decay.

Can cavities spread to your brain?

A tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body including your jaw, neck, sinuses, and brain.

Can you brush a cavity away?

They occur when bacteria from food sits in between the teeth and if not removed with flossing, the bacteria will slowly start to eat away at the tooth and cause decay, or, a cavity. Unfortunately, once a cavity is fully formed, it is nearly impossible to simply brush and make it go away.

What is another name for dental caries?

Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria.