Dental caries develop primarily through which mechanism?

Dental caries develop primarily through which mechanism?

• A. Biofilm-induced acid demineralization of the tooth surface
• B. Mechanical wear
• C. Calcification
• D. Gum recession

Answer: (A)

Dental caries arise primarily from acid produced by plaque bacteria as they metabolize fermentable carbohydrates. This biofilm acid lowers the surface pH, leading to demineralization of hydroxyapatite in enamel and dentin. If the acid challenge is frequent or prolonged, remineralization cannot keep up, and lesions develop into cavities. Fluoride and saliva help shift the balance toward remineralization and inhibit bacterial acid production. The other options don’t describe the main process: mechanical wear is a physical loss from abrasion or grinding, calcification is mineral deposition, and gum recession is a periodontal change that may influence exposure but isn’t the mechanism of caries formation.

Dental caries arise primarily from acid produced by plaque bacteria as they metabolize fermentable carbohydrates. This biofilm acid lowers the surface pH, leading to demineralization of hydroxyapatite in enamel and dentin. If the acid challenge is frequent or prolonged, remineralization cannot keep up, and lesions develop into cavities. Fluoride and saliva help shift the balance toward remineralization and inhibit bacterial acid production. The other options don’t describe the main process: mechanical wear is a physical loss from abrasion or grinding, calcification is mineral deposition, and gum recession is a periodontal change that may influence exposure but isn’t the mechanism of caries formation.