plural caries
: a progressive destruction of bone or tooth
especially
: tooth decay
Examples of caries in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His mouth also didn’t have any evidence of tooth loss, dental caries, or periodontal disease.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2023
The results showed that the teens who chewed peppermint gum had significantly lower levels of caries (tooth decay) than the teens who did not chew peppermint gum.
—James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022
Numerous studies have found that fluoridating water is a safe and cost-effective way to reduce the number and severity of dental caries (tooth decay and cavities).
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 21 Oct. 2022
The second group has had an increase in dental caries (cavities), periodontal (gum) disease, and tooth grinding.
—Rachel King, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2021
Lower salivary flow is considered a risk for dental caries.
—Jeffrey Ebersole, The Conversation, 18 May 2021
Dentistry dates as far back as 5,000 B.C. when people in India, Egypt, Japan and China thought dental caries were a result of a tooth worm.
—Staff Reports, The Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2017
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Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2023
The results showed that the teens who chewed peppermint gum had significantly lower levels of caries (tooth decay) than the teens who did not chew peppermint gum.
—James Robinson, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2022
Numerous studies have found that fluoridating water is a safe and cost-effective way to reduce the number and severity of dental caries (tooth decay and cavities).
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 21 Oct. 2022
The second group has had an increase in dental caries (cavities), periodontal (gum) disease, and tooth grinding.
—Rachel King, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2021
Lower salivary flow is considered a risk for dental caries.
—Jeffrey Ebersole, The Conversation, 18 May 2021
Dentistry dates as far back as 5,000 B.C. when people in India, Egypt, Japan and China thought dental caries were a result of a tooth worm.
—Staff Reports, The Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Caries.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caries. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caries
noun
car·ies
ˈka(ə)r-ēz 
ˈke(ə)r-
plural caries
: a progressive destruction of bone or tooth
especially
: tooth decay
Medical Definition
caries
noun
car·ies
ˈka(ə)r-ēz, ˈke(ə)r-
plural caries
: a progressive destruction of bone or tooth
especially
: tooth decay
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