dental caries

American

noun

cavity formation in teeth caused by bacteria that attach to teeth and form acids in the presence of sucrose, other sugars, and refined starches; tooth decay.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The researchers discovered higher levels of Streptococcus mutans -- a common oral bacterium known for causing dental caries -- in the gut microbiomes of people with Parkinson's.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

Quantitative analysis of diverse Lactobacillus species present in advanced dental caries.

From Nature • Nov. 14, 2017

"These patients are treated with fluoride varnishes, dietary modification, and therapeutic dental materials that have the capacity to reverse dental caries without placing fillings."

From US News • Dec. 9, 2015

He had lost several of his back teeth before he died, probably due to dental caries.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2013

Of those who did not use tobacco in any form a larger percentage showed signs of dental caries and decay of an advanced stage than in the case of tobacco users.

From Tobacco Leaves Being a Book of Facts for Smokers by Brennan, W. A.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023