Dental Caries or tooth decay mainly causes tooth loss. Bacteria induced progressive destruction of the mineral and organic components of the enamel and dentine, which are the two outer layers of the tooth, characterize this tooth decay. It is considered to be one of the most common diseases of modern age caused due to the intake of very soft and sweet eatables, which are too soft and too sweet.

Symptoms of Dental Caries:
In the beginning, the tooth may be merely sensitive to hot and cold substances and also to pressure from biting. However, an abscess forms at the base of the tooth and the pain becomes severe that may be sharp, throbbing, shooting or constant, which, if not treated on time has to eventually be extracted.

Food particles lodged in the mouth may provide the growth of bacteria, which, in turn, attack the surface of the tooth, causing minute cracks or defects in the enamel or hard outer coverings of the tooth. Thus, once the enamel has been eroded away, the body of the tooth is more easily damaged.

Causes of Dental Caries:
The most common cause of this disease is the consumption of faulty diet, including soft drinks, cakes, pastries, refined carbohydrates and sugar in all forms.Lack of balance between carbohydrates and proteins and insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals also contribute to this disease. It is commonly prevalent where refined, devitalized, processed and dematerialized foods, grown on soils deficient in minerals, are eaten.

Treatment of Dental Caries:
The treatment of dental caries consists of the removal of decayed regions of the tooth and filling the cavities. However, if the tooth has decayed to a very high extent, then it may become necessary to extract the affected tooth.Ideally, teeth should be cleaned after every meal, but one thorough cleansing each day is required.Toothpaste is not essential for the removal of plaque, but it does help to keep the mouth fresh and if it contains flouride, it also helps to strengthen the outer enamel and this renders it less susceptible to decay.

Diet plays a vital role in dental health, since the condition of the tooth depends on the food one eats. In fact, with proper diet, the teeth and jawbones can be made harder and healthier as the years go by. All sweets and refined foods and all products made with white flour, and white sugar should be avoided as fibreless refined foods allow particles to accumulate on the teeth.Plenty of raw vegetables and whole meal bread are good for the teeth, since the whole meals help on removing plague and also helps the teeth to become firm. Lemon and lime also promote healthy teeth and gums, due to their high Vitamin C content. They strengthen the gums and teeth and are very effective in preventing and curing acute inflammation of the gum margins. They should therefore form a part of children`s diet.

Frequent small snacks are also very harmful to teeth, as it thrives bacteria. For this reason, it is better to eat sweets at the end of a meal rather than between meals.