During an oral examination on a child, which finding is used to assess current caries activity?

• A. Presence of plaque
• B. Presence of white spots or dental decay
• C. Presence of tooth defects (enamel)
• D. Presence of dental crowding

Answer: (B)

Current caries activity is best judged by signs of active demineralization, notably the presence of white spot lesions on enamel or visible dental decay. White spot lesions indicate subsurface mineral loss, reflecting an ongoing demineralization process, while actual decay confirms that active breakdown is occurring. In contrast, plaque presence alone signals a risk environment but does not prove that caries is actively progressing. Developmental enamel defects and crowding are not direct indicators of current caries activity. So, seeing white spots or existing decay gives the clearest evidence of active caries at the time of examination.