Definition:Dental Caries is an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissues of the teeth, characterized by de-mineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth.

Types Of Dental Caries

Dental caries is mainly of 4 types :

1. Smooth Surface caries.
2. Pit and Fissure caries.
3. Root Surface Caries
4. Deep Dentinal Caires

These were some basic organisms giving a brief account of the causative organisms but you can find the detailed account of the Causative Organisms of each type of Caries at Types of Caries and their Causative Organisms

It is the infection of the tooth which destroys the morphologic and sometimes the physiologic features of the tooth. It is most commonly caused by the acid producing commensal bacteria present in the mouth .

Some examples of the acid producing bacteria : Lactobacillus , Streptococcus Viridans (Str.Mutans)

The common causes of dental caries is the fermentation of the carbohydrates by the acid producing bacteria which make the environment acidic,this acidic environment damages the dentin and one commensal bacteria produce a adhesive agent (Dextrin) which binds the debris together and binds it to the tooth surface which ends up in Dental Plaque .

There are many classification for Dental caries , as it takes a whole lot of time to discuss we will talk about it later.  Dental caries affects all the Calcified parts of the tooth structures and there are different micro organisms which affect the respective parts :

1. Enamel – Streptococcus Mutans
2. Dentin – Lacto Bacillus
3. Cementum – Actinomycetes

These were some basic organisms giving a brief account of the causative organisms but you can find the detailed account of the Causative Organisms of each type of Caries at Types of Caries and their Causative Organisms