Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes intrinsic sugars?
What characterizes intrinsic sugars?
Which statement about extrinsic sugars is correct?
Which statement about extrinsic sugars is correct?
Why are complex carbohydrates like starch considered less cariogenic?
Why are complex carbohydrates like starch considered less cariogenic?
Which of the following sugars is an example of an extrinsic sugar?
Which of the following sugars is an example of an extrinsic sugar?
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What happens to intrinsic sugars once they are released from their cellular structure?
What happens to intrinsic sugars once they are released from their cellular structure?
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Which food item would most likely contain extrinsic sugars?
Which food item would most likely contain extrinsic sugars?
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What defines the cariogenic potential of a carbohydrate?
What defines the cariogenic potential of a carbohydrate?
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What is the primary product of bacterial metabolism of sugar in the mouth?
What is the primary product of bacterial metabolism of sugar in the mouth?
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What happens to tooth enamel when the pH drops below the critical level?
What happens to tooth enamel when the pH drops below the critical level?
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At what pH does the demineralization of enamel typically begin?
At what pH does the demineralization of enamel typically begin?
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Why is dentine more susceptible to caries compared to enamel?
Why is dentine more susceptible to caries compared to enamel?
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What is the critical pH range for dentine?
What is the critical pH range for dentine?
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What is the role of saliva in relation to acid produced by bacteria?
What is the role of saliva in relation to acid produced by bacteria?
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What process can occur if mineral loss from a demineralized tooth is not irreversible?
What process can occur if mineral loss from a demineralized tooth is not irreversible?
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What happens to phosphates and hydroxides in saliva when the environment becomes acidic?
What happens to phosphates and hydroxides in saliva when the environment becomes acidic?
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What is the primary cause of dental caries?
What is the primary cause of dental caries?
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Which of the following best describes dental caries?
Which of the following best describes dental caries?
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What component is essential for preventing dental caries, according to the learning outcomes?
What component is essential for preventing dental caries, according to the learning outcomes?
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Which of these factors does not contribute to poor oral health?
Which of these factors does not contribute to poor oral health?
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At what stage is dental caries considered reversible?
At what stage is dental caries considered reversible?
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What role do fermentable carbohydrates play in the carious process?
What role do fermentable carbohydrates play in the carious process?
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Which of the following is NOT part of the patient assessment process in relation to dental health?
Which of the following is NOT part of the patient assessment process in relation to dental health?
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What is a significant outcome of understanding dental caries as a dental professional?
What is a significant outcome of understanding dental caries as a dental professional?
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Which of the following best summarizes pathogenic factors of dental caries?
Which of the following best summarizes pathogenic factors of dental caries?
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What is considered a major psychological factor influencing oral health?
What is considered a major psychological factor influencing oral health?
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Which type of surfaces are more likely to attract food debris and plaque biofilm?
Which type of surfaces are more likely to attract food debris and plaque biofilm?
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Which carbohydrate is considered most cariogenic due to its rapid metabolism by bacteria?
Which carbohydrate is considered most cariogenic due to its rapid metabolism by bacteria?
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What is a secondary local factor that can lead to increased plaque biofilm accumulation?
What is a secondary local factor that can lead to increased plaque biofilm accumulation?
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Why are complex carbohydrates like starch less cariogenic than simple sugars?
Why are complex carbohydrates like starch less cariogenic than simple sugars?
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What are intrinsic sugars primarily found in?
What are intrinsic sugars primarily found in?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of bacteria in plaque biofilm?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of bacteria in plaque biofilm?
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What is the primary food source for bacteria in plaque biofilm?
What is the primary food source for bacteria in plaque biofilm?
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What characteristic makes smooth surfaces less prone to plaque biofilm accumulation compared to grooved surfaces?
What characteristic makes smooth surfaces less prone to plaque biofilm accumulation compared to grooved surfaces?
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In terms of cariogenic potential, which statement is true of fermentable carbohydrates?
In terms of cariogenic potential, which statement is true of fermentable carbohydrates?
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What typically happens to sugars like sucrose when metabolized by mouth bacteria?
What typically happens to sugars like sucrose when metabolized by mouth bacteria?
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What is required for dental caries to occur?
What is required for dental caries to occur?
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What is the role of microbes in chemical dissolution related to dental caries?
What is the role of microbes in chemical dissolution related to dental caries?
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Which statement best describes the process of caries formation?
Which statement best describes the process of caries formation?
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What is the primary composition of dental biofilm?
What is the primary composition of dental biofilm?
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What factor is NOT a contributor to the risk of dental caries?
What factor is NOT a contributor to the risk of dental caries?
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How can the process of caries be described in detail?
How can the process of caries be described in detail?
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What aspect makes certain areas of the tooth more susceptible to caries?
What aspect makes certain areas of the tooth more susceptible to caries?
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What are the defining characteristics of fermentable carbohydrates in relation to caries?
What are the defining characteristics of fermentable carbohydrates in relation to caries?
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Which definition encompasses all the necessary components of caries formation?
Which definition encompasses all the necessary components of caries formation?
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What time frame is critical in the formation of dental caries?
What time frame is critical in the formation of dental caries?
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Study Notes
Aetiology of Dental Caries
- Dental caries is a localized chemical dissolution of tooth surfaces.
- It's caused by metabolic activity within a microbial deposit (biofilm) on tooth surfaces.
- The process is highly dependent on the presence of fermentable carbohydrates.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the aetiology (cause) and pathogenesis (development) of oral diseases.
- Recognize psychological and sociological factors affecting oral health.
- Discuss components of patient assessment processes.
- Explain the role of dental therapists in tooth restoration.
- Define dental caries.
- Explain the aetiology of dental caries.
- List and describe four aetiological factors causing dental caries.
- List evidence supporting the proposed aetiologies.
Why do we lose teeth?
- Periodontal disease
- Trauma
- Elective removal
- Dental caries
Burden of Dental Caries
- Average cost of a tooth extraction for a child under 5 is £836.
- £50.5 million was spent on tooth extractions for those under 19 between 2015 and 2016.
- £7.8 million was spent on tooth extractions for those under 5 during this time.
So What?
- Understanding dental caries is crucial for prevention and treatment.
- This impacts the quality of life and healthcare costs.
The Caries Process
- The process involves localized chemical dissolution of tooth tissues.
- It is a progressive disease (in its early stages it is reversible) of tooth hard tissues (enamel, dentin, cementum).
- Bacteria metabolize fermentable carbohydrates to produce acids
Main Points
- Caries is often localized.
- Involves chemical dissolution.
- Involves microbes and their metabolites.
- Affects all hard tissues.
- Involves fermentable carbohydrates.
- Can be reversible.
Aetiological Agents for Caries
- Susceptible tooth surface
- Plaque bacteria
- Fermentable carbohydrates
- Time
All-Encompassing Definition of Caries
- A localized chemical dissolution of a susceptible tooth surface, over time, caused by metabolic activity associated with fermentable carbohydrates and a microbial deposit (biofilm).
True Extent of Caries
- Factors like social class, education, income, diet, saliva composition, microbial frequency, behaviour & attitudes influence the development of dental caries
1. Susceptible Tooth Surface
- All dental hard tissues are susceptible to some degree of caries.
- Some areas are more susceptible due to factors like pits and fissures, smooth surfaces, proximals and defective margins.
- These areas are more prone to biofilm accumulation.
Which Areas of the Tooth are Susceptible?
- Pits and fissures
- Smooth surfaces
- Proximal surfaces
- Defective margins/ledges/overhangs
2. Fermentable Carbohydrates
- Bacteria need food to survive, and sugars in diets provide the substrate needed for their metabolism.
- This results in lactic acid production
- Not all sugars are equally cariogenic.
- Sucrose is the most rapidly metabolized.
- Intrinsic sugars are naturally occurring (e.g., fruit sugars).
- Extrinsic sugars are added to foods (e.g., table sugar).
- Complex carbohydrates (e.g., starch) are less cariogenic because these are not easily broken down within the mouth, which means that the time for acid production is increased and more difficult.
Bacteria and Simple Sugars
- Bacteria, in the presence of simple sugars, produce acids that can demineralize tooth surfaces.
What Does 'Critical' pH Mean?
- Critical pH is the point below which tooth tissues start demineralizing.
Critical pH Values
- Critical pH for enamel is approximately 5.5.
- Critical pH for dentin is approximately 6.5
3. Time
- Time is a crucial factor in the development of caries.
- For caries to develop, there needs to be a period of time where all the factors are present.
- The frequency of sugar intake is important-frequent intakes provide opportunity for more de-mineralization.
- Grazing, snacking, suckling increase instances of acid attacks within the mouth.
- Aim to reduce frequency of sugar intake and monitor
4. Plaque Bacteria
- Plaque bacteria are needed for caries to develop.
- The composition of the biofilm changes with time and pH fluctuations.
- Shifting bacterial populations influence the production of acids that demineralize enamel and dentin tissues.
Summary
- Caries develops in susceptible areas of the tooth, influenced by microbial activity, fermentable sugars and prolonged exposure.
- Frequent sugar intake increases the risk of acid production and demineralization.
- The see-saw of remineralization and demineralization is key and can be influenced by the frequency of sugar intake impacting the rate of demineralization influencing the likelihood of damage within the enamel.
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Description
This quiz delves into the causes and development of dental caries, exploring essential factors that contribute to tooth decay. It covers the microbial biofilm, the influence of dietary carbohydrates, and broader implications for oral health. Participate to consolidate your understanding of dental caries and related oral diseases.
