What year was cavities discovered?

Cavities, or dental caries, have been known since ancient times, with evidence of tooth decay found in human remains dating back thousands of years. The scientific understanding of cavities began to develop in the 19th century, particularly with the work of researchers like Willoughby D. Miller in the late 1800s, who identified the role of bacteria in the formation of cavities. However, there isn't a specific "discovery" year, as cavities have been recognized as a dental issue for millennia.