Dental caries occurs due to demineralization of enamel and dentine (the hard tissues of the teeth) by organic acids formed by bacteria in dental plaque through the anaerobic metabolism of sugars derived from the diet. The 2 primary bacteria involved in caries formation are mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. When sugars or other fermentable carbohydrates are ingested, the resulting fall in dental plaque pH caused by organic acids increases the solubility of calcium hydroxyapatite in the dental hard tissues and demineralization occurs as calcium is lost from the tooth surface. The pH at which demineralization occurs is often referred to as the critical pH and is approximately 5.5.
Category
Bacterial infectious disease
Brite
Human diseases in ICD-11 classification [BR:br08403]
13 Diseases of the digestive system
Diseases or disorders of orofacial complex
DA08 Diseases of hard tissues of teeth
H01331 Dental caries
Genome-based classification of infectious diseases [BR:br08401]
Bacterial infections
Infections caused by bacteria
H01331 Dental caries
