It is a well-accepted fact that dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease that is strongly modified by diet. Caries is a disease of dental calcified structures that is characterized by demineralization of the mineral component and dissolution of the organic matrix of the tooth.

The three causative factors that must be present for caries to occur are:

(1) cariogenic microorganisms in plaque; (2) cariogenic, fermentable carbohydrates; and (3) susceptible tooth and host

(1) cariogenic microorganisms in plaque; (2) calculus deposits; and (3) intrinsic stain

(1) calculus deposits; (2) cariogenic, fermentable carbohydrates; and (3) presence of gingivitis