Caries

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Caries is a progressive destruction of any kind of bone structure, including the skull, ribs, teeth, and other bones. Caries can be caused by osteomyelitis, which is a bacterial disease. A disease which involves caries is mastoiditis, an inflammation of the mastoid process, in which the bone gets eroded.

[edit] Types

Dental caries is one of many types of caries. Dental caries affects different parts of the teeth: enamel, dentin or cementum; in the crown or the root of the tooth. Nearly all contain bacteria such as streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus.