This paper discusses three articles on cariology from the 1950’s in view of the current consensus of the pathogenesis, aetiology and prevention of dental caries. While 50 years ago the battle between researchers favouring the chemo-parasitary versus those in support of the proteolytic theory of caries was at its peak, bacteria and acids formed in plaque have since been generally accepted as the cause of dental caries. Attention has shifted to the inhibiting role of fluoride in the initiation and progression of tooth decay, and the possible additive action of antimicrobial therapy. As tooth decay is now a disease less common and progressing more slowly, there is scope for a more directed intervention and a preventive rather than a restorative therapeutic approach. In spite of the successes obtained a sizeable proportion of the population still suffers from dental caries and care should be taken not to diminish the attention for tooth decay, both in the general dental practice and in dental research.