Dental caries, also known as\u00a0tooth decay\u00a0or a\u00a0cavity, is a\u00a0disease<\/a>\u00a0where\u00a0bacterial<\/a>\u00a0processes change carbohydrate like sugar in food left on teeth to acid that demineralises hard\u00a0tooth<\/a>\u00a0structure (enamel<\/a>,dentin<\/a>, and\u00a0cementum<\/a>).[1]<\/a>\u00a0If demineralisation exceeds saliva and other remineralisation like from fluoride, these tissues progressively break down, producing dental caries (cavities, holes in the teeth). Two groups of bacteria are responsible for initiating caries:\u00a0Streptococcus mutans<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Lactobacillus<\/a>. If left untreated, the\u00a0disease<\/a>\u00a0can lead to pain,\u00a0tooth loss<\/a>,\u00a0infection<\/a>, and, in severe cases, death.[2]<\/a>\u00a0Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases throughout the world. Cariology is the study of dental caries.<\/p>\n Below is a video showing decay progression in the teeth.
\n