Prior to performing preventive measures, a specific caries risk diagnosis is necessary. Individual risk factors and personal habits influence the exposure to caries-producing bacteria and thus affect the caries incidence. The general etiologic parameters and necessary therapeutic foci are weighted differently depending on the patient's age. This determines the selection of treatment as well as the frequency of the recommended preventive measures. Schlagwörter: individual caries risk, professional care, saliva test, Streptococcus mutans, sugar intake