Caries (redirected from Early childhood caries)

caries

 or tooth decay

Localized disease that causes decay and cavities in teeth. It begins at the tooth's surface and may penetrate the dentin and the pulp cavity. Microorganisms in the mouth are believed to consume sugars and produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. The dentin's protein structure is then destroyed by enzymes. Diet, general health, structural tooth defects, and heredity affect the risk of having caries. Prevention involves avoiding excessive sweets, brushing and flossing the teeth, and having regular dental care. Treatment includes restoration of teeth with cavities. Fluoridation of water can reduce the occurrence of caries by as much as 65%.

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caries

progressive decay of a bone or a tooth

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caries [′kar·ēz]

(medicine)

Bone decay.

Tooth decay. Also known as dental caries.

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Caries 

a pathological process involving the gradual destruction of bony tissue or teeth.

Caries of bony tissue is caused by degeneration or infection of bone or periosteum that results in necrosis of portions of bone followed by absorption or disengagement of the dead tissues and formation of a bone ulcer. Caries may also be accompanied by specific inflammatory processes (for example, tuberculosis or syphilis). The mechanism of development and clinical symptoms of caries vary with the cause, location of the focus, and so forth. In acute inflammations (for example, osteomyelitis), when a focus of suppuration arises in bone and sometimes spreads to the surrounding tissues, caries is manifested by systemic intoxication, and bone destruction progresses rapidly. In chronic and especially specific processes, caries develops slowly without severely pronounced symptoms. Treatment consists in medication (antibiotics, sulfanilamides) and specific treatment (anti-syphilitic, antituberculotic). Surgery is frequently effective.