Caries can be categorized by location, etiology, rate of progression, and hard tissues affected.[91] These forms of classification can be used to distinguish a particular case of dental caries in order to more accurately represent the condition to others as well as to indicate the severity of tooth destruction. In some cases, caries is described in other ways that may indicate a cause. The GV Black rating is as follows:
Class I – occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth, spinous or lingual pits on molars, lingual fossa near alveoli, maxillary incisors
Class II – the proximal surfaces of the posterior teeth
Class III – the interfacial surfaces of the anterior teeth without cusps involvement
Class IV – the interfacial surfaces of the anterior teeth with cusps involvement
Class V – cervical third of the surface of the face or tongue
Class VI – slope or occlusal edge removed due to attrition
Early childhood caries
justice
Photograph of teeth and gums on the lower right hand side of the mouth showing large caries lesions on all teeth at the level of the gum
Widespread caries due to methamphetamine abuse.
Early childhood caries (ECC), also known as “baby bottle caries”, “baby bottle decay” or “bottle rot”, is a pattern of decay found in young children with their (baby) teeth falling out. This must include the presence of at least one lesion on the primary teeth in a child younger than 6 years of age.[92] The most likely affected teeth are the maxillary anterior teeth, but all teeth can be affected.[93] The name for this type of caries comes from the fact that caries is usually the result of letting children fall asleep with sweetened liquids in their bottles or feeding children sweetened liquids several times during the day.[94]
Another pattern of decay is “caries”, which means advanced or severe decay on multiple surfaces of many teeth.[95] Pervasive caries may appear in individuals with a dry mouth disorder, poor oral hygiene, stimulant abuse (due to drug-induced xerostomia[96]), and/or excessive sugar intake. If the rampant caries is a result of previous radiation to the head and neck, it may be described as radiation-induced caries. Problems can also be caused by self-destruction of the roots and the eruption of the entire tooth when new teeth erupt or later from unknown causes.
Children between 6 and 12 months of age are at increased risk of developing cavities. For other children between the ages of 12 and 18 months, tooth decay appears on the primary teeth and about twice a year for the permanent teeth.[97]
A group of studies reported that there is a relationship between primary tooth decay and permanent tooth decay.[98][99]
