What does the word "caries" mean?

Nowadays there are more than 400 different theories explaining the reasons that cause caries. One of the theories presupposes lack of the mouth cavity hygiene as the basic cause of caries. If one does not clean his teeth regularly and properly soft dental deposit may appear in out-of-the-way places (usually in recesses or on side surfaces of teeth). Such dental deposit is a perfect place for various bacteria and fungi.

There they can develop quickly and effectively. About the half of all bacteria contained in the dental deposit are streptococci. Mineral salts contained in the soft dental deposit make it firmer and firmer. This way dental calculus is formed. Special investigations have proven that the bacteria contained in the dental calculus secret lactic acid. It takes minerals out of the teeth tissues. This may cause caries. Bacteria contained in the soft dental deposit (streptococci) secret dextran out of sucrose. This polysaccharide remains in the dental deposit. It explains why the sweettooths are more prone to carious disease.