CARIES

plural Caries, also called Tooth Decay, cavity or decay of a tooth, a localized disease that begins at the surface of the tooth and may progress through the dentine into the pulp cavity. It is believed that the action of microorganisms in the mouth on ingested sugars and carbohydrates produces acids that eat away the enamel. The protein structure of the dentine is then destroyed by enzymatic action. Diet, general health, structural defects of the teeth, and heredity affect one's chances of developing caries. Treatment includes attention to diet, often entailing the avoidance of sweets, and care of the teeth by cleansing and by restoring teeth that have cavities. The addition of sodium fluoride to fluoride-deficient municipal water supplies has been observed to reduce the incidence of caries by as much as 65 percent.