Dental caries facts for kids

The term dental caries refers to tooth decay or cavities in teeth. The decay is made by bacteria destroying parts of the tooth. Dental caries usually lead to substandard breath and bad taste. Personal hygiene caring consists of brushing and flossing daily.

After enamel and dentin are destroyed and cavity reaches the dental pulp and nerves of the tooth, the tooth becomes sensitive since the nerves are exposed. Cavity may infect the jaw and sometimes cause a tooth abscess.

If carbohydrates remain in your mouth for enough time, caries-causing bacteria may form plaque on the tooth surface and attack the tooth.

Images for kids

• 

  (A) A small spot of decay visible on the surface of a tooth. (B) The radiograph reveals an extensive region of demineralization within the dentin (arrows). (C) A hole is discovered on the side of the tooth at the beginning of decay removal. (D) All decay removed; ready for a filling.

• 

  Diagrammatic representation of acidogenic theory of causation of dental caries. Four factors, namely, a suitable carbohydrate substrate (1), micro-organisms in dental plaque (2), a susceptible tooth surface (3) and time (4); must be present together for dental caries to occur (5). Saliva (6) and fluoride (7) are modifying factors.

• 

  "Stephan curve", showing sudden decrease in plaque pH following glucose rinse, which returns to normal after 30–60 min. Net demineralization of dental hard tissues occurs below the critical pH (5.5), shown in yellow.

• 

  The progression of pit and fissure caries resembles two triangles with their bases meeting along the junction of enamel and dentin.

• 

  The faster spread of caries through dentin creates this triangular appearance in smooth surface caries.

• 

  The tip of a dental explorer, which is used for caries diagnosis

• 

  A dental infection resulting in an abscess and inflammation of the maxillary sinus

• 

  Tooth samples imaged with a non-coherent continuous light source (row 1), LSI (row 2) and pseudo-color visualization of LSI (row 3).

• 

  G. V. Black Classification of Restorations

• 

  Toothbrushes are commonly used to clean teeth.

• 

  Annual caries incidence increases exponentially with annual per capita sugar consumption. Data based on 10,553 Japanese children whose individual lower first molar teeth were monitored yearly from the age of 6 to 11 years of age. Caries plotted on a logarithmic scale, so line is straight.

• 

  Common dentistry trays used to deliver fluoride.

• 

  Fluoride is sold in tablets for cavity prevention.

• 

  An amalgam used as a restorative material in a tooth.

• 

  An image from Omne Bonum (14th century) depicting a dentist extracting a tooth with forceps.

See also

In Spanish: Caries para niños