Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Tooth decay is acid from sugar-fed plaque bacteria dissolving the tooth - silent early, reversible at the white-spot stage, always treatable.
Dental caries - tooth decay, the common cavity - is the most widespread chronic disease on earth. Nearly every adult and most children in India carry at least one. It is also almost entirely preventable, and curable without drama when caught early.
A cavity is not a worm and not bad luck. It is a chemical process: bacteria living in dental plaque digest sugars from food and release acid. That acid dissolves the mineral of the tooth - first the enamel surface, then the softer dentin beneath, and finally the living pulp at the centre. Left alone, the process ends in pain, infection and tooth loss.
What causes decay, the symptoms stage by stage, the types dentists name, how it is diagnosed, home remedies that help and those that waste time, diet guidance, medicines and products, prevention that actually works, and the Ayurvedic view of dental care with its genuine traditional strengths and honest limits.
Dental caries is acid from sugar-fed bacteria slowly dissolving the tooth - silent early, painful late, reversible at the white-spot stage, always treatable, and far cheaper to prevent than to fix.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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Fluoride brushing twice daily, daily flossing, fewer sweet moments, water after sweets, sealants for children - caries is almost entirely preventable.
Plaque bacteria plus frequent sugar equals acid - worsened by dry mouth, deep grooves, constant snacking and skipped brushing, even passed via shared spoons.
Fluoride toothpaste and varnish prevent and reverse early decay; remineralising pastes and xylitol support; no pill replaces a filling.
Pit and fissure, smooth surface, root and recurrent decay, plus rampant, arrested and baby bottle caries - each type with its own fix and clock.
Sugar frequency beats quantity - skip sticky snacks and all-day sipping, chase sweets with water, keep nights clean, and babies never sleep with a bottle.
Five stages of decay: reversible white spot, enamel hole, dentin sensitivity, nerve pain, abscess - the cheapest dental visit is the early one.
