Dental caries (tooth decay) is a major oral health problem in most industrialised countries, affecting 60–90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults.
The early manifestation of the caries process is a small patch of demineralised (softened) enamel at the tooth surface, often hidden from sight in the fissures (grooves) of teeth or in between the teeth. The destruction spreads into the softer, sensitive part of the tooth beneath the enamel (dentine). The weakened enamel then collapses to form a cavity and the tooth is progressively destroyed. Caries can also attack the roots of teeth should they become exposed by gum recession. This is more common in older adults.
Most people do not know what the word caries means. Dental Caries is another word for tooth decay or cavities. In the India children between the ages of 6-19, with untreated dental caries was 16.2% during the years 2005-2008, and for adults over the age of 19 with untreated dental caries that were untreated were 23.7%. Dental Caries is a currently huge problem in the United States. Many people have a lack of knowledge, along with not caring or taking proper care of their teeth. Dental caries is one of the most common diseases seen in the human body second to the common cold. There must be more education taught to try and prevent this problem.
