DENTAL CARIE Meaning and
Definition
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Dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay or cavities, is a progressive disease that affects the hard tissues of the teeth, leading to the formation of small openings or holes in the tooth structure. It is primarily caused by the interaction between bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, and the sugars present in the mouth. The process starts when the bacteria present in the mouth adhere to the tooth surface, forming a sticky layer known as plaque.
As the bacteria feed on sugars from the diet, they produce acid as a metabolic byproduct, which in turn, causes the demineralization of the tooth enamel. Over time, if left untreated, this demineralization process weakens the enamel, resulting in the formation of a cavity or dental carie. The affected area may exhibit symptoms like sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, pain, discomfort, and, in advanced stages, visible holes or pits in the teeth.
Prevention of dental caries primarily involves maintaining good oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing, flossing, and the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes. Additionally, limiting the consumption of sugary foods and beverages can help minimize the risk of developing tooth decay.
Dentists typically treat dental caries by removing the decayed part of the tooth using drills or lasers, followed by filling the resulting cavity with a dental material such as amalgam or composite resin. In severe cases, when the tooth structure is extensively damaged or infected, more extensive dental treatments, such as root canal therapy or tooth extraction, may be necessary.
Common Misspellings for DENTAL CARIE
- sental carie
- xental carie
- cental carie
- fental carie
- rental carie
- eental carie
- dwntal carie
- dsntal carie
- ddntal carie
- drntal carie
- d4ntal carie
- d3ntal carie
- debtal carie
- demtal carie
- dejtal carie
- dehtal carie
- denral carie
- denfal carie
- dengal carie
- denyal carie
Etymology of DENTAL CARIE
The word "carie" is derived from the Old French word "carier" meaning "to decay" or "to rot". It entered the English language from the French term "charier" in the late 16th century. The term "dental" is derived from the Latin word "dentis", meaning "tooth", and is used to describe anything related to the teeth. Thus, "dental carie" refers to the decay or rotting of a tooth.
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