Management of dental caries
1. Cariology is a science which deals with the study of etiology, histopathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental caries. Dental caries is defined as a microbiological disease of the hard structure of teeth, which results in localized demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substances of the tooth.
2. Dental plaque is an adherent deposit of bacteria and their products, which forms on all tooth surfaces. Dental plaque is important for beginning of caries because it provides the environment for bacteria to form acid, which causes demineralization of hard tissue of teeth.
3. Susceptible tooth surface ↓ Formation of biofilm and microbial deposits ↓ Acid production and PH change ↓ Shift in dynamic equilibrium of minerals ↓ Dissolution of minerals ↓ Initiation of caries