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Dentistry vocabulary · Dental Conditions

Caries

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/ˈkeriːz/nounCore term

In dentistry, caries means: Damage to a tooth caused by acids that plaque bacteria make from sugar. It slowly dissolves enamel and dentin and, if untreated, can reach the pulp.

In Turkish: çürük, diş çürüğü, karyes

How it is used

The professional word, used in notes, reports and research; patients say decay or cavities. It is uncountable and takes a singular verb. Dentists talk about active, arrested, secondary (recurrent) and root caries.

Example sentences

  1. There is interproximal caries between the lower premolars.

  2. Caries risk is high in this patient because of frequent sugary snacks.

Common collocations

  • dental caries
  • secondary caries
  • caries risk
  • root caries
  • caries-free
  • cavityA hole in a tooth caused by decay. In restorative dentistry it also means the space the dentist shapes in the tooth before placing a filling.
  • tooth decayThe everyday name for the slow destruction of a tooth by acids that bacteria produce. It starts as a white or brown spot and can grow into a cavity.
  • plaqueA soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth every day. If brushing and cleaning between the teeth do not remove it, it leads to decay and gum disease.
  • fluorideA mineral compound that makes enamel stronger and more resistant to acid, which helps to prevent decay. It is added to toothpaste and, in some places, to drinking water.
  • fillingMaterial placed in a tooth to repair the hole left after decay is removed, or to rebuild a broken part, so that the tooth regains its shape and function.

More terms: Dental Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.