Also known as dental caries, tooth decay is the gradual erosion of the outer enamel of a tooth and sometimes also the inner dentin. Initial decay usually occurs on the grinding surfaces of the back teeth and areas around the gum line.
The main cause of decay is the acid produced by bacteria in plaque (a sticky deposit of food particles, dead cells, saliva, and bacteria on the surface of teeth). Early- stage decay often causes no symptoms.
Later, there may be toothache; sensitivity of the tooth to heat, cold, or sugary foods; and bad breath. Superficial decay may be treated by applying fluoride to the decayed area.
More advanced decay may need a filling or root canal treatment (removing the tooth’s inner tissues, then sealing the tooth).
With very advanced decay, the tooth may need to be extracted

Othere related diseases

MECKELS DIVERTICULUM
Meckel’s diverticulum is a small, hollow, wide-mouthed pouch that protrudes from the last part of the small intestine. The pouch is present at birth.
It ...

MOUTH ULCER
Also known as aphthous ulcers or canker sores, mouth ulcers are painful open sores inside the mouth. The exact cause of mouth ulcers is unknown, though a combin...

ORAL CANCER
Also known as mouth cancer, oral cancer is a cancerous tumor of the lip, tongue, lining of the mouth, or gums. Lip cancer and tongue cancer are the most common ...

PANCREATIC CANCER
Pancreatic cancer is relatively rare overall but is a common cause of cancer deaths, because it is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage. <...

PANCREATITIS
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Acute (sudden-onset) pancreatitis may be caused by gallstones, alcohol abuse, an abdominal injury, a viral infecti...

PERITONITIS
Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane surrounding the abdominal organs and lining the abdominal wall. It is caused by infection, usually o...

POLYP
Also called bowel polyps or colorectal polyps, these are growths that project out from the lining of the colon or rectum. In most cases, the cause is unknown. <...

PROCTITIS
Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum. It commonly occurs as a feature of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, amebiasis , schistosomiasis ...