Dental decay also known as dental caries is a disease that damages tooth structures, resulting in what is commonly called tooth decay or cavities, which are holes in the teeth. This damage first affects the hard tissues of the teeth i.e. enamel, dentin and cementum. As the destruction progresses, these tissues begin to break down, which can eventually lead to holes in the teeth. If left untreated, the disease can lead to pain, tooth loss, infection.
Tooth decay and periodontal disease is a concern for people of all ages, dental carries does not only affect children. However, the nature of the decay problem changes as people grow older. Adults are more likely to develop decay around older fillings, and because many older adults grew up without the benefits of fluoride, and less awareness of tooth decay, they may have more fillings. Tooth root decay is also common among older adults. Root caries (decay) occur when the gums recede, exposing the softer root surface, which decays more easily than the hard tooth enamel.
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