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Questions and Answers
Which of the following factors is essential for the development of dental caries?
Which of the following factors is essential for the development of dental caries?
What type of carbohydrates primarily contributes to caries formation?
What type of carbohydrates primarily contributes to caries formation?
Which of the following statements best describes the aetiological agents involved in caries development?
Which of the following statements best describes the aetiological agents involved in caries development?
Which statement best identifies a key characteristic of the plaque bacteria involved in caries formation?
Which statement best identifies a key characteristic of the plaque bacteria involved in caries formation?
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Which definition best encompasses the nature of caries?
Which definition best encompasses the nature of caries?
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How does the accumulation of plaque biofilm affect caries susceptibility?
How does the accumulation of plaque biofilm affect caries susceptibility?
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Which of the following tooth surfaces is generally considered less susceptible to caries?
Which of the following tooth surfaces is generally considered less susceptible to caries?
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What role do metabolites of microbes play in the caries process?
What role do metabolites of microbes play in the caries process?
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Which type of carbohydrates provides the most food for oral bacteria to produce acid?
Which type of carbohydrates provides the most food for oral bacteria to produce acid?
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Which of the following factors contributes to increased plaque biofilm accumulation in defective tooth margins?
Which of the following factors contributes to increased plaque biofilm accumulation in defective tooth margins?
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What characteristic of complex carbohydrates makes them less cariogenic compared to simple sugars?
What characteristic of complex carbohydrates makes them less cariogenic compared to simple sugars?
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What type of sugars are sucrose, fructose, and glucose categorized as?
What type of sugars are sucrose, fructose, and glucose categorized as?
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What is the primary byproduct of bacteria metabolizing sugars that can lead to dental caries?
What is the primary byproduct of bacteria metabolizing sugars that can lead to dental caries?
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Which of the following statements about intrinsic sugars is accurate?
Which of the following statements about intrinsic sugars is accurate?
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What role do defective tooth margins play in dental health?
What role do defective tooth margins play in dental health?
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Which of the following sugars is metabolized the fastest by oral bacteria?
Which of the following sugars is metabolized the fastest by oral bacteria?
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Which of the following shows an incorrect relationship between carbohydrates and dental caries?
Which of the following shows an incorrect relationship between carbohydrates and dental caries?
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What is a consequence of having food debris caught in the grooves and pits of teeth?
What is a consequence of having food debris caught in the grooves and pits of teeth?
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What is the result of infrequent acid attacks on dental health?
What is the result of infrequent acid attacks on dental health?
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Which of the following statements best describes the role of plaque bacteria in tooth dissolution?
Which of the following statements best describes the role of plaque bacteria in tooth dissolution?
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How does frequent snacking impact dental health?
How does frequent snacking impact dental health?
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What factor can influence the microbial population in plaque biofilm?
What factor can influence the microbial population in plaque biofilm?
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Which bacteria are primarily associated with caries formation in low pH environments?
Which bacteria are primarily associated with caries formation in low pH environments?
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What happens to anaerobic bacteria as the plaque biofilm becomes thicker?
What happens to anaerobic bacteria as the plaque biofilm becomes thicker?
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What occurs when sugar is present in the mouth but no plaque bacteria are present?
What occurs when sugar is present in the mouth but no plaque bacteria are present?
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What characterizes intrinsic sugars?
What characterizes intrinsic sugars?
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How does the processing of intrinsic sugars affect their cariogenic potential?
How does the processing of intrinsic sugars affect their cariogenic potential?
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Which of the following is an example of extrinsic sugar?
Which of the following is an example of extrinsic sugar?
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Why are complex carbohydrates such as starch considered less cariogenic?
Why are complex carbohydrates such as starch considered less cariogenic?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes extrinsic sugars?
Which of the following statements accurately describes extrinsic sugars?
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What is a major source of extrinsic sugars?
What is a major source of extrinsic sugars?
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What happens to the starch found in food such as bread when consumed?
What happens to the starch found in food such as bread when consumed?
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Which sugar is known to be highly cariogenic?
Which sugar is known to be highly cariogenic?
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Which of the following best explains why plaque bacteria have an advantage with extrinsic sugars?
Which of the following best explains why plaque bacteria have an advantage with extrinsic sugars?
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What defines cariogenic substances in relation to sugar retention?
What defines cariogenic substances in relation to sugar retention?
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What occurs when the pH of the environment is below the critical threshold?
What occurs when the pH of the environment is below the critical threshold?
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Which of the following best describes the Stephan Curve?
Which of the following best describes the Stephan Curve?
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Why is the timing of sugar intake significant for dental health?
Why is the timing of sugar intake significant for dental health?
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Which of the following statements about the critical pH is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the critical pH is accurate?
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Which mineral component is essential for the formation of hydroxyapatite in teeth?
Which mineral component is essential for the formation of hydroxyapatite in teeth?
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What is a consequence of having too frequent acid attacks on teeth?
What is a consequence of having too frequent acid attacks on teeth?
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How do fermentable carbohydrates impact tooth health?
How do fermentable carbohydrates impact tooth health?
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What happens to minerals when the pH rises back to neutral after an acidic event?
What happens to minerals when the pH rises back to neutral after an acidic event?
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What is the ideal time interval between sugar intakes to minimize the risk of dental caries?
What is the ideal time interval between sugar intakes to minimize the risk of dental caries?
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What is the result of having a resting plaque pH of 6.5-7 before sugar exposure?
What is the result of having a resting plaque pH of 6.5-7 before sugar exposure?
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Study Notes
Aetiology of Dental Caries
- Dental caries is a localized chemical dissolution of tooth surfaces by metabolic activity in a microbial biofilm.
- The process is initiated by the interaction of four factors: susceptible tooth surface, fermentable carbohydrates, plaque bacteria and time.
- All dental hard tissues are susceptible, but some areas more so (e.g., pits and fissures, smooth surfaces, proximal surfaces, and areas with defective margins).
- Bacteria need fermentable carbohydrates to survive and produce lactic acid, thus lowering the pH.
- Sucrose is the most easily metabolized sugar, leading to more rapid acid production.
- Complex carbohydrates (like starch) are less cariogenic because they're not easily metabolized in the mouth.
- Intrinsic sugars are naturally occurring sugars in foods (e.g., fruit).
- Extrinsic sugars come from added sugars (e.g., table sugar, honey, syrups).
- Frequent sugar intake lowers the pH of the mouth to critical levels, causing demineralization.
- When the pH rises above critical levels, remineralization happens, and the tooth recovers.
Plaque Bacteria
- Plaque bacteria (e.g., lactobacillus and streptococcus mutans) play a crucial role in the caries process.
- Bacterial metabolic activity converts fermentable carbohydrates into acids.
- As the biofilm thickens, oxygen levels decrease, fostering anaerobic bacteria, which further decrease the pH.
- This leads to a cascading effect, decreasing the pH even further than simple sugars.
Time
- Time is crucial for the caries process; without the other factors existing for a period of time, caries will not occur.
- Frequent acid attacks lead to more demineralization.
- The Stephan curve illustrated how the mouth's pH drops during and after sugar intake, returning to normal later.
- Infrequent attacks mean less time below critical pH, leading to less demineralization.
Evidence for Aetiology
- Studies on germ-free rats and those fed sugar-free diets confirmed the need of bacteria and fermentable carbohydrates.
- The Vipeholm study of patients in a Swedish mental hospital showed a direct link between types and frequency of sugar intake and dental caries development.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the aetiology of dental caries, detailing the factors that contribute to its formation. It covers how microbial activity, tooth surface susceptibility, and dietary carbohydrates interact to cause tooth decay. Understanding these concepts is crucial for preventing and managing dental caries.