[{"id":"20be0d5","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"8992c33","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>Dental caries is a sugar-dependent, infectious disease caused by the metabolic activity of bacteria on fermentable carbohydrates. These bacteria produce acid as a by-product, which lowers the pH on the tooth surface. This acidic environment causes calcium and phosphate ions to leach out from the enamel, leading to <strong>demineralization<\/strong> and the formation of cavities<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"8175f47","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"145670e","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"Types of Dental Caries"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"851f819","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"da4a567","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tEnamel Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"ba3a4b5","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"c78ffd2","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<ul><li>The initial sign can be observed as a white spot on the enamel. As the lesion progresses, the surface becomes rough, may develop stains, and pitting can occur, ultimately leading to <strong>cavitation<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"64c3529","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"67a41ea","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tDentinal Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"531ab0c","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"613ebf9","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<ul><li>This involves bacterial invasion into the dentin. Once bacteria reach the amelo-dentinal junction, they spread laterally, causing deeper damage.<\/li><\/ul>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"5d9964d","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"008216d","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tArrested Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"96b80aa","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"f9f8568","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>Under certain conditions, caries can become inactive. These lesions are <strong>hard in texture and appear darker<\/strong> in color, indicating they are no longer progressing<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"c77fb42","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"18b5d5e","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tRoot Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"bf02e51","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"f1a1dd8","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>When the gums recede, the root surfaces of the teeth become exposed and more susceptible to decay, especially in older adults<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"7dbc3b0","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"efedf2e","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tPit and Fissure Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"cc2ab3c","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"9466315","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>These develop in the natural grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, particularly the molars and premolars<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"4baa60e","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"e5599ff","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tSmooth Surface Caries:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"6ea3d9d","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"ccd6c16","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>This type affects the flat, smooth surfaces of teeth that do not have pits, fissures, or grooves.<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"021a79b","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"c19dae1","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"What Causes Dental Caries?"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"c21c260","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"c44190c","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, triggered by a combination of factors which are as follows:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Tooth surface condition<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Dental plaque (bacterial biofilm)<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Diet (particularly high in sugars)<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Time (duration of acid exposure)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p>For caries to develop, bacteria in dental plaque must feed on fermentable carbohydrates over a sustained period. The acid produced during this process damages the tooth surface<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"2888931","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"a4c00de","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"Bacteria Involved in Dental Caries"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"4b2f2b2","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"06dcafa","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>The key bacterial species associated with tooth decay include:<\/p><ul><li><em>Streptococcus mutans<\/em><\/li><li><em>Streptococcus salivarius<\/em><\/li><li><em>Lactobacillus<\/em> species<\/li><li><em>Actinomyces<\/em><\/li><\/ul><p>These bacteria play a central role in acid production and enamel breakdown.<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"db0ea68","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"e14a4a7","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"How to Prevent Dental Caries"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"cdc0719","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"81be442","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>Preventing dental caries involves a combination of good oral hygiene practices and dietary habits:<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"058cd71","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"de85f23","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tDiet Control:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"f67b992","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"77bdb33","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<ul><li>Limit the frequency of sugary food and drink consumption, especially between meals. Diets high in carbohydrates promote acid production by oral bacteria.<\/li><\/ul>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"07c502d","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"b114a30","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tFluoride Therapy:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"13e5540","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"e39428b","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p>Fluoride helps in <strong>remineralizing early carious lesions<\/strong>. Use fluoridated toothpaste and drink fluoridated water. Professional fluoride applications like <strong>fluoride varnish<\/strong> can also aid in caries prevention<\/p>"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"3e337e0","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[{"id":"6b7b196","elType":"widget","settings":{"title":"\u2022\tToothbrushing:","header_size":"h3"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"heading"}],"isInner":false},{"id":"0340e4f","elType":"container","settings":{"flex_direction":"column"},"elements":[],"isInner":false}]