Dental Caries Causes, Bacteria and Classifications

Dental Caries is a common infectious microbial disease. In the beginning, the inorganic portion of the tooth is dematerialized. Then organic portion is destructed and it leads to cavity formation.

What are the Factors of dental caries?

It is a multi-factorial disease involving the following factors-

The host- particularly saliva and teeth.
The micro-flora and their substrate.
Diet.
Time.

Dental Caries Bacteria

Streptococcus mutants
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Streptococcus sobrinus
Streptococcus mitis
Streptococcus sanguinis
Streptococcus salivarius
Actinomyces

What are the Classifications of Dental Caries?

Types of dental caries are given below-

a) According to the anatomical site of the lesion:

Pit and fissure (occlusal) - It is the most common type of dental caries that occurs on the occlusal surface of molars and bicuspids.
Smooth surface - There are two variations of smooth surface caries. They are-

Buccal and lingual surface caries.
Proximal surface caries (inter-proximal)

b) Based on severity and progression:

Rampant: It occurs as a sudden, rapid and almost uncontrollable destruction of teeth involving surface of teeth that are ordinarily caries free. Proximal and cervical surfaces of anterior teeth including mandibular incisors get affected.

Nursing: It is a specific form of rampant decay of the primary teeth of infants and toddlers. It is a unique pattern of dental decay affecting maxillary primary incisors in young children due to prolong nursing habit especially when the child is sleeping. This is also named as baby bottle tooth decay or early childhood caries. The main cause for this type of caries is inappropriate of feeding bottle or will-breastfeeding or combination of both and poor oral hygiene.

Radiation: This is a common complication of radiotherapy of oral cancer lesions and radiation-induced Xerostomia. Such patients develop rampant dental caries. Xerostomia may be caused by a factor other than radiation like-

Tumor of salivary glands
Autoimmune disease
Anti-sialagogue drugs
Prolonged illness

c) Based upon the part of tooth structure involved:

Enamel

Incipient
Linear enamel (odontoclasia)

Dentinal
Cemental

d) Based on the activity:

Primary
Secondary (recurrent)
Residual
Arrested

Root Caries

The recession of gingival margin is an inevitable reason for poor oral hygiene and loss periodontal attachment with age. Gingival recession is a prerequisite for exposure of a root surface. It is commonly seen in older people. Root lesions are very vulnerable to mechanical damage.

What are the Risk factors for Root Caries?