Caries dental is the most common term, and you’ll also hear caries and cavidad when people talk about tooth rot and cavities.
You don’t need perfect Spanish to talk about a dental problem. You need the right word, a clear way to describe what’s going on, and a few phrases that fit real situations.
This guide gives you the Spanish terms Spanish speakers actually use, plus pronunciation help, grammar notes, and ready-to-say lines you can use at home, at school, or at a dental office.
‘Tooth Decay’ in Spanish: The Exact Phrase And When To Use It
The most standard translation for tooth decay is caries dental. You’ll see it in dental brochures, school handouts, and clinic paperwork. In casual talk, people often shorten it to caries.
You may also hear cavidad (a cavity) when someone means a specific hole in a tooth, not the overall process. In English, “tooth decay” can mean the process and the result. Spanish splits those ideas more often.
Pronunciation That Gets You Understood
Caries dental is said like “KAH-ree-ess den-TAHL.” Caries keeps the same first part: “KAH-ree-ess.” Cavidad sounds like “kah-vee-DAHD.”
If you’re using a speech app or dictionary audio, listen for the stress. Spanish stress matters more than a perfect accent.
Quick Grammar Notes
- La caries is feminine in many regions, even when people say it in the singular. You may also hear las caries as a plural idea, like “cavities.”
- La caries dental is also used, and it still behaves like a feminine noun phrase.
- La cavidad is feminine. Plural is las cavidades.
How To Say Tooth Decay In Spanish In Real Conversations
When you’re speaking, match your word choice to what you mean. Are you talking about the general problem, one cavity, or a tooth that’s already damaged? These swaps make your Spanish sound natural.
Process Vs. Result: Pick The Right Noun
Use caries dental for the process of decay. Use cavidad when you mean a cavity in a specific tooth. Use diente picado when you’re describing a tooth that’s “bad” or “decayed” in daily speech.
Diente picado is common in some places, especially in family talk. It’s direct, and people will get what you mean.
Useful Related Words
Dental talk often circles the same set of words. If you learn these together, you won’t freeze mid-sentence.
- El diente (tooth), los dientes (teeth)
- La muela (molar), las muelas (molars)
- El esmalte (enamel)
- La encía (gum), las encías (gums)
- El dolor (pain), me duele (it hurts)
- La infección (infection)
Mini Practice Lines
Say these out loud. Keep them short. You’ll sound calm, even if you’re nervous.
- Tengo caries. I have cavities.
- Creo que tengo una cavidad. I think I have a cavity.
- Me duele una muela. A molar hurts.
- Se me rompió un diente. A tooth broke.
Terms And Phrases You’ll See In Clinics And School Notes
Written Spanish often looks a bit more formal than speech. If you’re reading a note from school or filling out a dental form, these are the words that show up again and again.
Common Formal Terms
Caries and caries dental are top of the list. You may also see lesión de caries (caries lesion) in clinical writing, plus tratamiento (treatment) and prevención (prevention).
When a form asks about prior dental work, you might see empaste or relleno for a filling, and corona for a crown.
Spelling Traps To Avoid
Don’t guess with English spelling. The Spanish term is caries, not “carries.” And cavidad is a noun; it’s not the same as vacío (empty) even if both hint at a “space.”
How To Ask About One Tooth
If you’re pointing to a single tooth, Spanish gets clearer when you name the tooth and the action. Start with the tooth, then add what you want to know.
These questions sound natural at a front desk or in the chair. Say them slowly, then pause so the other person can answer.
- ¿Este diente tiene caries? Does this tooth have decay?
- ¿Es una caries o una mancha? Is it a cavity or a stain?
- ¿Hay caries entre los dientes? Is there decay between the teeth?
- ¿Está dañada esta muela? Is this molar damaged?
If you don’t know the tooth name, use location words: aquí, arriba, abajo, and de este lado. A quick point plus one of those words often does the job.
Spanish Options At A Glance
Use this chart to pick the best term fast. If you only learn one phrase, learn caries dental.
| Spanish Term | What It Means | When It Fits Best |
|---|---|---|
| Caries dental | Tooth decay (process) | Forms, school notes, dental offices, clear speech |
| Caries | Caries / cavities | Daily talk, quick answers, casual settings |
| Una cavidad | A cavity (one spot) | When you mean one tooth area |
| Las cavidades | Cavities (plural) | Talking about several teeth |
| Diente picado | Decayed tooth (informal) | Family talk, kid-friendly phrasing |
| Empaste / relleno | Filling | After diagnosis, treatment talk |
| Placa | Plaque | Hygiene talk, brushing routines |
| Sarro | Tartar | Cleanings, “hard plaque” talk |
| Flúor | Fluoride | Toothpaste, rinses, dentist visits |
How To Describe Symptoms Without Guessing A Diagnosis
When you’re speaking a second language, it’s tempting to label the problem. You’ll get better results by describing what you feel and where it is. That also keeps your message clear if you’re not sure what’s happening.
Pain And Sensitivity Phrases
- Me duele al masticar. It hurts when I chew.
- Me duele con el frío. It hurts with cold.
- Me duele con lo dulce. It hurts with sweet things.
- Me duele por ratos. It hurts off and on.
- El dolor no se me quita. The pain doesn’t go away.
What You Can Point To
Pair your words with a gesture. Spanish speakers do this all the time in medical settings. It keeps the visit moving.
- Aquí (here)
- En esta muela (in this molar)
- En la parte de arriba (on the top)
- En la parte de abajo (on the bottom)
- Del lado derecho (on the right side)
- Del lado izquierdo (on the left side)
What To Say At A Dental Visit In Spanish
If you can handle a check-in and a short explanation, you’ll feel more in control. These phrases cover the most common moments: booking, arrival, the exam, and next steps.
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning | When To Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Quiero pedir una cita. | I want to schedule an appointment. | Phone call or front desk |
| Tengo dolor de muela. | I have toothache. | Reason for visit |
| Creo que tengo caries. | I think I have cavities. | When you suspect decay |
| Me duele al morder. | It hurts when I bite. | During the exam |
| ¿Me puede explicar el tratamiento? | Can you explain the treatment? | After the exam |
| ¿Necesito un empaste? | Do I need a filling? | Discussing options |
| ¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? | Before agreeing |
| ¿Cuándo es la próxima cita? | When is the next appointment? | Scheduling follow-up |
Extra Lines For Parents And Caregivers
If you’re speaking for a child, switch to simple details: where it hurts, what foods hurt, and what you’ve noticed.
- Le duele aquí. It hurts here.
- No quiere comer de este lado. They don’t want to eat on this side.
- Se queja por la noche. They complain at night.
- Vi una mancha oscura. I saw a dark spot.
Spanish Words For Brushing And Daily Care
If your goal is to talk about routines, learn the verbs and the tools. Cepillarse is to brush, usar hilo dental is to floss, and la pasta dental is toothpaste.
Here’s a simple line you can reuse: Me cepillo los dientes dos veces al día y uso hilo dental. If sugar is part of the story, say dulces, refrescos, and snacks.
Common Mix-Ups And How To Fix Them
Language learners often grab the first “close” word and run with it. Dental Spanish has a few traps that can throw people off.
“Decay” Isn’t “Decaer”
Decaer means to decline or to lose strength, not to rot a tooth. Stick with caries, caries dental, or diente picado.
“Rotten Tooth” Options
If you mean a tooth that seems rotten, people may say diente podrido. It’s blunt, and it fits casual talk. In a clinic, caries still sounds more precise.
Don’t Overuse “Infección”
In English, people say “infection” for a lot of tooth problems. In Spanish, you can say infección if a clinician has said it, or if you have clear signs like swelling and fever. If you’re not sure, describe the symptom instead.
Regional Notes You Might Hear
Spanish varies by country and even by city. Dental terms stay mostly steady, yet daily speech changes. If someone uses a term you don’t know, ask for a simpler word.
Short Questions That Keep Things Clear
- ¿Cómo se dice más simple? How do you say it more simply?
- ¿Eso es una cavidad? Is that a cavity?
- ¿Es lo mismo que caries? Is it the same as caries?
Practice Drill: Build Your Own Sentence
Take one template and swap in details. This is a fast way to build confidence.
Template 1: Problem + Place
Tengo caries en ______. Fill the blank with una muela, un diente, or esta parte.
Template 2: Pain Trigger
Me duele cuando ______. Use muerdo (I bite), masticó (I chew), or tomo algo frío (I drink something cold).
Template 3: What You Want
Quiero saber si necesito ______. Try un empaste (a filling) or una limpieza (a cleaning).
When Tooth Pain Needs Fast Care
Some dental problems can wait for a normal appointment. Others should be seen fast. If you have swelling in the face, fever, pus, or trouble swallowing or breathing, get urgent dental or medical care right away.
If pain wakes you up at night, or you can’t eat on one side, ask for the earliest available appointment. When you call, keep it simple: Tengo dolor fuerte y necesito una cita lo antes posible.
Quick Recap You Can Remember
Caries dental is the clean, standard way to say tooth decay. Caries is the daily shortcut. Cavidad is a single cavity. If you’re stuck, describe pain, point to the tooth, and ask for plain words right now.