Dental caries is a degenerative disease of the tooth hard tissues (enamel and dentin) that produces small openings or holes.
It has a bacterial basis and is caused by microorganisms normally found in the oral cavity, which tend to adhere to the tooth forming a bacterial plaque and are able to dissolve the mineral and organic matrix that makes up the tooth, creating cavitated lesions.
It is one of the most prevalent health problems in the world and is especially common in children, adolescents and the elderly.
If caries is left untreated, the damage extends to the deeper layers of the teeth, reaching the dental pulp, causing pain, infection, and tooth loss.
