Dental caries definition

Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases, interact in their formation several causes. The four most important factors for the development of caries bacteria, food, time and the tooth as a host. Cause of the formation of the dental caries are adhering whitish coating, referred to as "plaque." This plaque forms within the shortest possible time, even on a clean tooth and contains different types of bacteria, including the so-called Leitkeime of caries - streptococci (Streptococcus mutans) and Lactobacillus.

The plaque must be removed by adequate and regular oral hygiene, because the bacteria in plaque produce from the food consumed for the dental hard substances harmful acids. If these bacterial plaque over time, the pH decreases (describing the effect of a chemical liquid, acidic or basic) on the tooth surface and the enamel is attacked by it. Crucial for the development of carious lesions (holes or defects on the tooth surface) include the type and frequency of ingested carbohydrates and their retention in the oral cavity, but also the quality or quantity of saliva. The decay goes through different severities. First, there is decalcification of enamel, which can be seen as white spots. In the initial stage, this still remineralized by fluoride products are targeted (re-cemented). Failure to do so destroys the enamel surface caries and penetrates into the dentin. Since dentin is softer than enamel, it spreads rapidly below the enamel-dentin border. Dentine caries may be associated with dental pain.