Dental Caries

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What is Dental Caries?

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Dental caries is an infectious disease that can lead to cavities (small holes) in the tooth structure that compromises both the structure and the health of the tooth.

Who gets Dental Caries?

Dental caries is the second most common disease in our community after the common cold. However, it can be prevented with proper oral hygiene. The rate of dental caries has declined due to fluoridated water and improved oral hygiene techniques.

The decline of caries is measured by the number of decayed, missing or filled teeth DMFT affect by caries. The DMFT rates of 5-6 years old, 12 years old, 21-24 years old, and 35-44 years old in 1999 were 1.66, 0.89, 3.7 and 13.5 respectively.

Predisposing Factors

There are several risk factors associated with dental caries. The 3 main factors that lead to dental caries are sugars, oral bacteria and the time these are combined in the presence of the tooth. These factors increase a persons susceptibility to developing caries and play varying roles in the development of caries, depending on its nature.

For example, sticky sugary foods are much more likely to cause dental caries than non sticky sugary foods. It is important to recognize that people with teeth defects are predisposesd to dental caries.

Progression

Dental caries is caused by bacteria producing acids from the consumption of sugars. The acid can cause local demineralisation of the tooth surface. If damage to the tooth is not significant, the protective qualities of saliva may stop further demineralisation of the tooth and remineralization will occur. Also, proper oral hygiene e.g. brushing teeth 3 times a day reduces the development and progression of caries.

If caries are allowed to continue to progress, much more of the tooth structure will be lost and there is an increased risk of loss of the entire tooth and infection such as a tooth abscess.

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