What is dental caries?

• Dental caries is a disease of the dental calcified structures (enamel, dentin, and cementum) characterized by demineralization of the mineral components and dissolution of the organic matrix.

• Mutans Streptococci (S. mutans) and Lactobacilli acid- forming bacteria are the initial etiologic agents. 

• S. mutans initiates the caries process and lactobacilli contributes to the progression of the carious lesion.

(Wilkins, 2017, page 265)​