tooth implants aurora

Dental caries, also described as "tooth decay" or "dental cavities", is an infectious disease which damages the structures of teeth.[42] The disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection, and, in severe cases, death[citation needed]. Dental caries has a long history, with evidence showing the disease was present in the Bronze, Iron, and Middle ages but also prior to the neolithic period.[43] The largest increases in the prevalence of caries have been associated with diet changes.[43][44] Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases throughout the world. In the United States, dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, being at least five times more common than asthma.[45] Countries that have experienced an overall decrease in cases of tooth decay continue to have a disparity in the distribution of the disease.[46] Among children in the United States and Europe, 60-80% of cases of dental caries occur in 20% of the population.[47]

Tooth decay is caused by certain types of acid-producing bacteria which cause the most damage in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose.[48][49] The resulting acidic levels in the mouth affect teeth because a tooth's special mineral content causes it to be sensitive to low pH. Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure. Instead, dental health organizations advocate preventative and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental caries.[