Children miss 52 million hours of school each year due to oral health problems. About 12.5 million days of restricted activity, every year, result from dental symptoms or treatment visits. Studies have shown a link between oral disease and low birth weight, cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes. And tooth decay is five times more common than asthma. Dental caries, or tooth decay, is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus mutans .
Caries is transmitted directly, from person to person.
In very basic terms, the bacteria thrive on sugar and form acid that eats away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities. If a cavity goes untreated, it can spread to the pulp of the tooth, causing inflammation and an abscess at the root. Eventually, this process ends in tooth extraction. Cavities can be prevented with sealants. But a great deal of research is now being generated to find out about different modes of transmission.