Definition of Dental Caries

caries

implies slow disintegration of any biological hard tissue as a result of bacterial action

dry rot

The word ‘Caries’ in Latin means —

prehistoric

caries have affected humans since — times

14th century BC

the documented reference of tooth decay and toothache appeared around the —, when oracle bone inscriptions excavated from the ruins of Ying Dynasty showed the character meaning ‘caries’.

oracle bone inscriptions

the documented reference of tooth decay and toothache appeared around the 14th century BC, when — excavated from the ruins of Ying Dynasty showed the character meaning ‘caries’.

ubiquitous

dental caries is appropriate to describe as — (it is omnipresent in all populations and is as old as mankind)

world health organization

defined caries as a localized posteruptive, pathological process of external origin involving softening of the hard tooth tissue and proceeding to the formation of a cavity

GV black

defined caries as the chemical dissolution of the calcium salts, first of the enamel then of the dentin by lactic acid

Shafer

gave his definition of caries as an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth characterized by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth

kess and ash

defined Dental caries as a disease involving hard portions of the teeth exposed in the oral cavity and is characterized by disintegration of enamel, dentin, and cementum forming open cavities.

Last

defined dental caries as an illness due to specific infectious agents or toxic products that arise through the transmission of that agent or its products from an infected person, animal, or reservoir to a susceptible host.

sturdevant

defined it as an infectious microbiologic disease of the teeth that results in localized dissolution and destruction of calcified tissues.

GJ mount

defined caries as perceived to be a prolonged imbalance in the oral cavity such that the factors favoring demineralization of enamel and dentin overwhelm the factors that favor remineralization and repair of those tissues.

Cawson

Defined dental caries as progressive, irreversible bacterial damage to teeth exposed to the oral environment

Kidd and smith

Defined caries as a disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth caused by the action of micro-organisms on fermentable carbohydrates.

lundeen

defined dental caries as an infectious microbiological disease that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified tissues of the teeth and progresses as a series of exacerbations and remissions.

Ernest newburn

Defined dental caries or tooth decay, as a pathological process of localized destruction of tooth tissues by microorganisms.

ostrom

defined dental caries as a process of enamel or dentin dissolution that is caused by microbial action at the tooth surface and is mediated by the physiochemical flow of water dissolved ions.

Hume

defined dental caries as essentially a progressive loss by acid dissolution of the apatite (mineral) component of the enamel then the dentin, or of the cementum, then dentin.

fejerskov and nyvad

Defined dental caries as a complex disease caused by an imbalance in physiologic equilibrium between tooth mineral and biofilm fluid.

selwitz

defined dental caries is a multifactorial disease that starts with microbiological shifts within the complex biofilm. It is affected by salivary flow and composition, exposure to fluoride, consumption of dietary sugars, and preventive behaviors, like cleaning the teeth. However, it is mainly a disease that dates back to antiquity and has also occurred in populations that have never used sugar or processed foods.

sikri

Defined dental caries as an infectious disease caused by an imbalance of oral micro-organisms leading to acid production and subsequently dissolving the hard tissues of the tooth.

dental cavities

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• Dental caries, also known as tooth decay/cavity, is a disease where bacterial processes damage hard tooth structures (enamel, dentin, and cementum). These tissues progressively break down, producing — (holes in the teeth).

tooth structure

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• A disease of the teeth resulting in damage to the —.

sugars and starches

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• The bacterial disease is known as tooth decay/cavities causes demineralization of teeth through exposure to —

bacteria

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• Decay of teeth due to penetration of — through the enamel to the dentin.

micro-organisms

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• A disease of teeth in which — convert sugar in the mouth to an acid that erodes the tooth commonly called a cavity.

decalcification

earlier definitions of dental caries:

• A destructive process causing — of tooth enamel and leading to the continued destruction of enamel and dentin.