Dental caries are an infectious disease caused by bacteria that destroy which dental tissues?

• A. Enamel
• B. Dentin
• C. Enamel and dentin
• D. Cementum

Answer: (C)

Dental caries begin with acid from plaque bacteria dissolving the mineral in the tooth, starting with enamel, the hard outer layer. Once a lesion breaches enamel, it exposes the underlying dentin, which has a organic matrix and tubules that allow faster progression of decay. Cementum, which covers roots, is less susceptible to caries in typical cases (though root caries can involve it later). So the tissues most destroyed by typical caries are enamel and dentin.