Dental Caries: Assessment and Treatment

Dental caries is the breakdown of teeth caused by acids made by bacteria. The cavities may vary in color from yellow to black. Its symptoms are pain and difficulty in eating. Complications related to dental varies can cause tooth loss, inflammation of the tissue around the tooth and abscess formation. The acids formed by bacteria when they breakdown food debris or sugar on the tooth surface dissolve the hard tissues of the teeth such as enamel, dentin and cementum. Some of the risk factors for dental caries are conditions that may result in less saliva such as Sjögren syndrome, diabetes mellitus and some medications. A diet rich in simple sugars is also a risk factor. This book elucidates the etiology and treatment of dental caries. It will also provide interesting topics for research which readers can take up. This book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.