dental caries (redirected from Diet, cariogenic)

caries /car·ies/ (kar´ēz) (kar´e-ēz) decay, as of bone or teeth.ca´rious

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dental caries  a destructive process causing decalcification of the tooth enamel and leading to continued destruction of enamel and dentin, and cavitation of the tooth.

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dental caries n. The formation of cavities in the teeth by the action of bacteria; tooth decay.

dental caries Top left: acid from bacterial action destroys enamel and forms a cavity Top right: unchecked decay spreads to the dentin Bottom left: an enlarged cavity allows bacteria to attack exposed dental pulp Bottom right: untreated and infected dental pulp causes the eventual death of the pulp and tooth

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Dental caries

A disease of the teeth in which microorganisms convert sugar in the mouth to acid, which then erodes the tooth.

Mentioned in: Tooth Replacements and Restorations, Toothache

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dental caries,

a tooth disease caused by the complex interaction of food, especially starches and sugars, with the bacteria that form dental plaque. The term also refers to the tooth cavities that result from the disease. Plaque bacteria produce acids that cause demineralization of enamel and enzymes that attack the protein component of the tooth. This process, if untreated, ultimately leads to the formation of deep cavities and bacterial infection of the pulp chamber, which contains blood vessels and nerves. The development of dental caries in a debilitated patient is a concern because of the danger that infections of the teeth or gingival tissues may spead to the rest of the body. In addition, teeth that are decayed or painful inhibit mastication and can lead to dietary changes, which may in turn cause nutritional and digestive disorders. Dental caries may be prevented by a reduction in the frequency of sugar consumption, use of dental floss between the teeth, regular brushing of the teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste, drinking of fluoridated water, topical application of fluorides to the teeth, and removal of plaque and calculus by a dental hygienist. Treatment of dental caries includes removal of the decayed material and restoration of the surface of the affected tooth with a silver amalgam or other restorative material. If the cavity has reached the pulp chamber, it may be necessary to remove the pulp tissues to alleviate pain, prevent the spread of infection to the rest of the body, and allow the continued use of the tooth. Alternatively, the entire tooth may be extracted. Kinds of dental caries include arrested dental caries, incipient dental caries, pit and fissure cavity, primary dental caries, secondary dental caries, smooth surface cavity. See also classification of caries. carious, adj.

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dental,

adj relating to the teeth.

dental abutment,

n See abutment.

dental alloy,

n See alloy.

dental amalgam,

n See amalgam.

dental ankylosis

(ang´klō´sis),
n See tooth, ankylosed.

dental anxiety,

n See anxiety.

dental arch,

n See arch, dental.

dental articulator,

n See articulator.

dental assistant,

n See assistant, dental.

dental auxiliary,

n See auxiliary personnel.

dental benefits organization,

n an organization offering a dental benefits plan. Also known as dental plan organization.

dental benefits plan,

n the plan entitles covered individuals to specified dental services in return for a fixed, periodic payment made in advance of treatment. Such plans often include the use of deductibles, coinsurance, or maximums to control the cost of the program to the purchaser.

dental benefits program,

n the specific dental benefits plan being offered to enrollees by the sponsor.

dental biofilm,

n See biofilm, dental.

dental bonding,

n See bonding.

dental calculus,

n See calculus.

dental care,

n the treatment of the teeth and their supporting structures.

dental care for children,

n See pedodontics.

dental caries,

n See caries.

dental caries susceptible,

n See susceptible.

dental cavity lining,

n See cavity lining.

dental cement,

n See cement, dental.

dental cementum,

n See cementum.

dental chart,

n See chart, dental.

dental clinic,

n See clinic.

dental cooperative,

n a dental facility organized to provide dental services for the benefit of subscribers and not for profit. There is no discrimination as to who may subscribe, and each subscriber has equal rights and voice in the control of the cooperative. The operation of the cooperative usually rests with a lay board of directors elected by subscribers.

dental deposit,

n See calculus.

dental dysfunction,

n See dysfunction, dental.

dental enamel,

n See enamel.

dental enamel, hypoplastic,

n See hypoplasia.

dental engine,

n See engine, dental.

dental equipment,

n See equipment.

dental fissure,

n See fissure.

dental fistula,

n See fistula.

dental floss,

n a waxed or plain thread of nylon or silk used to clean the interdental areas; an aid in oral physiotherapy. Shredproof Teflon expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), or nylon flosses are still believed to be the best materials for removing plaque from the teeth.

dental fluorosis,

n See fluorosis, dental.

dental geriatrics,

n See geriatrics.

dental granuloma,

n See granuloma, dental.

dental handpiece,

n See handpiece.

dental health services,

n the sum of the diagnostic, preventive, consultative, supportive, and therapeutic dental care offered by the dental profession or that portion provided a member of a dental health plan.

dental health surveys,

n the use of questionnaires and oral examinations of a target population to determine the need or demand for dental care or the opinions or attitudes of patients or consumers.

dental history,

n See history.

dental hygiene armamentarium,

n See armamentarium.

dental hygiene diagnostic model,

n one of four approaches to patient care. Its purpose is to arrive at a plan for recommended treatment by the systematic use of six steps that cover the major aspects of care, from initial inquiry to problem solving to patient education.

dental hygiene instrumentarium,

n See instrumentarium.

dental hygiene process model,

n one of four approaches to patient care, characterized by the documentation of a patient's expressed needs as they relate to a range of possible causes. Patient is questioned about various areas of concern, including overall health care.

dental hygienist,

n See hygienist, dental.

dental identification,

n the process of establishing the unique characteristics of teeth and dental work of an individual, leading to the identification of an individual by comparison with the person's dental charts and records. Used in forensic dentistry.

dental implant,

n See implant.

dental impression material,

n See impression.

dental instrument,

n See instruments.

dental insurance,

n a policy that insures against the expense of treatment and care of dental disease and accident to teeth.

dental jurisprudence

n the application of the principles of law as they relate to the practice of dentistry. See also jurisprudence, dental.

dental laboratory technician,

n See technician, dental laboratory.

dental lamina,

n See lamina, dental.

dental material,

n See material, dental.

dental model,

n See model.

dental neglect,

n the purposeful denial of the minimum amount of oral health care or maintenance required to sustain functioning periodontium and teeth. The caretaker may exhibit a disregard for the patient's health and may focus primarily on pain relief for the patient. It is considered a warning sign of possible child or elder abuse.

Dental neglect.

dental occlusion,

n See occlusion.

dental papilla,

n See papilla.

dental pathology,

n that branch of dentistry that deals with all aspects of dental disease. See also pathology.

dental perioscopy

(per´ēos´kpē),
n See endoscopy, periodontal.

dental pin,

n See pin.

dental plan,

n an organized method for the financing of dental care.

dental plaque,

n See plaque.

dental porcelain,

n See porcelain, dental.

dental prepayment,

n a system for budgeting the cost of dental services in advance of their receipt.

dental prophylaxis,

n See prophylaxis.

dental prosthesis,

n See prosthesis.

dental prosthetic restoration,

n See prosthesis, dental.

dental public health,

n may also be called
public health dentistry. The science and art of preventing and controlling dental diseases and promoting dental health through organized community efforts. It is that form of dental practice that serves the community as a patient rather than the individual. It is concerned with the dental health education of the public, with applied dental research, and with the administration of group dental care programs as well as prevention and control of dental diseases on a community basis. See community dentistry.

dental pulp,

n See pulp.

dental pulp capping,

n See capping, pulp.

dental pulp cavity,

n See cavity, pulp.

dental pulp exposure,

n See exposure.

dental record,

n a confidential document containing the clinical and financial data of the dental patient, including the patient's identity, pertinent history, medical and dental conditions, services rendered, and charges and payments made.

dental research,

n the formal scientific study of issues related to dentistry.

dental review committee,

n a group of dental professionals and administrative personnel that reviews questionable dental claims and can suggest policy decisions regarding dental care.

dental sac,

n a portion of the tooth germ consisting of ectomesenchyme surrounding the outside of the enamel organ, which produces the periodontium of a tooth. Older term is
dental follicle.

dental scaling,

n See scaling.

dental sealant,

n See sealant.

dental senescence,

n See senescence, dental.

dental service corporation,

n a legally constituted, not-for-profit organization that negotiates and administers contracts for dental care. Delta Dental and Blue Cross/Blue Shield corporations are two such organizations.

dental service, hospital,

n 1. the location of the dental facility within a hospital.
n 2. the array of dental procedures offered within a hospital setting.

dental splint,

n See splint, dental.

dental staff,

n the personnel employed or engaged by the dental professional to conduct the assignable professional and management functions of the dental clinic, office, or practice.

dental stone,

n See stone, dental.

dental tape,

n See tape, dental.

dental technician,

n See technician.

dental unit,

n See unit, dental.

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caries

decay, as of bone or teeth.

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dental caries

demineralization and loss of substance of the hard tissues of the teeth, leading to continued destruction of enamel and dentine, and cavitation of the tooth. It is a very rare disease in animals. Occurs occasionally in sheep. May occur as pits or fissures. Called also a cavity.

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Patient discussion about Diet, cariogenic.

Q. Dental Caries and Stress are related? Can it be possible that dental caries (cavities) be caused by stress? It seems to me that it can, because stress can cause all kinds of other health problems then why can't it also cause cavities. I have tried to find answers to question online, but have been unsuccessful. Sure would be great to know the answer to this.

A. if you understand the question "dental carries and stress are related?"

there are many factors that cause cavities ...

- poor hygiene
- poor diet
- malnutrition
- disease or illness
- and stress

it is well documented in the medical and alternative fields

Q. How can I prevent baby caries? Hi, I’m pregnant on my 34 week and my older son had baby caries, I would like to prevent that this time.

A. First of all you might want to know that sweetening his formula would do that. And it’s not healthy in general. So don’t do that. After feeding- clean his moth. How to do that? Here is an article about early tooth decay:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000101/20000101b.html

Q. Is there a way stopping caries progress? I'm 17 and I've recently noticed I have chalky white spots on the back of two of my teeth at the bottom. I go to the dentist regularly (I have braces at the minute) and I'm assuming he's seen them but he hasn't mentioned them. I'm just curious as to weather caries are treatable? Is there anything my dentist can do to stop it progressing into something worse?

A. Caries starts by demineralization of the enamel. The enamel is the hardest material in our body. The bacteria gets the mineral out of it and it becomes weak. Start as white color and continues to a black unpleasant color as it progresses into the tooth. If you rinse your mouth often with fluoride and brush your teeth properly- it will stop the demineralization and the fluoride will take the place of other minerals in the enamel. This will stop the caries and the white spot will slowly becomes black. This is a good situation- it’ll be harder then before.