TOOTH DECAY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does tooth decay mean? 

• TOOTH DECAY (noun)
  The noun TOOTH DECAY has 1 sense:

1. soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth

  Familiarity information: TOOTH DECAY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TOOTH DECAY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

caries; cavity; dental caries; tooth decay

Hypernyms ("tooth decay" is a kind of...):

decay (the process of gradually becoming inferior)

 Context examples 

Tooth decay that extends through the enamel into the dentin layer.

(Caries into Dentin, NCI Thesaurus)

A form of the element fluorine that helps prevent tooth decay.

(Fluoride, NCI Dictionary)

Lactobacilli usually do not cause disease, but may cause tooth decay.

(Lactobacillus, NCI Dictionary)

Tooth decay that has invaded the dentin, creating dentin that is partially demineralized and containing mineral crystals in the tubules.

(Carious Dentin, NCI Thesaurus)

A method used to aid in the detection of tooth decay by measuring fluorescence using a laser.

(Laser Fluorescence, NCI Thesaurus)

Tooth decay of an unspecified location.

(Caries, Region Unknown, NCI Thesaurus)

B. dentium is an opportunistic pathogen associated with tooth decay.

(Bifidobacterium dentium, NCI Thesaurus)

Tooth decay that is restricted to the enamel layer.

(Caries Restricted to Enamel, NCI Thesaurus)

Tooth decay that is increasing in size or scope.

(Active Caries, NCI Thesaurus)

Some prevent or cure diseases, like tooth decay and athlete's foot.

(Over-the-Counter Medicines, Food and Drug Administration)