Dental Caries

Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated disease that results in the localized destruction of tooth tissues by acid, such as lactic acid, that is produced in the mouth as oral bacteria ferment dietary carbohydrates. If the pH in the environment surrounding tooth tissues becomes too acidic, dropping below a pH of 5.5, then demineralization of tooth enamel–essentially dissolution of tooth structure–begins to occur. The early stages are reversible, because the natural process of remineralization can replace lost mineral from enamel crystals. However, if demineralization continues over time, enough mineral content may be lost so that the soft organic matrix left behind disintegrates, forming a cavity.