Tooth Decay

Adapted from Wikipedia

Dental caries, also described by its consequences namely tooth decay or dental cavities, is an infectious disease which damages the structures of teeth. The occurrence of dental caries is globally widespread. Caries leads to pain (toothache), tooth loss, infection, and can even kill in extreme cases. Researchers estimate that 90% of schoolchildren around the world and most adults have had cavities, with the disease being more severe in Asian and Latin American countries and least in African countries.

In the US, dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease, at least five times more common than asthma. It is the most significant cause of tooth loss in children. In adults over the age of 50, the incidence of dental caries has been found to range from 29%-59%.


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