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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of dental caries?
What is the primary cause of dental caries?
Which of the following factors significantly contributes to the development of dental caries?
Which of the following factors significantly contributes to the development of dental caries?
Which statement best defines dental caries?
Which statement best defines dental caries?
What is one of the key components in the assessment process for preventing dental caries?
What is one of the key components in the assessment process for preventing dental caries?
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Which approach is essential for managing the risk of dental caries effectively?
Which approach is essential for managing the risk of dental caries effectively?
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Which type of sugars are considered intrinsic?
Which type of sugars are considered intrinsic?
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What is the primary reason sucrose is more cariogenic than other sugars?
What is the primary reason sucrose is more cariogenic than other sugars?
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Which carbohydrate is least likely to contribute to tooth decay?
Which carbohydrate is least likely to contribute to tooth decay?
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What does 'critical pH' refer to in dental health?
What does 'critical pH' refer to in dental health?
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Which of the following sugars is categorized as extrinsic?
Which of the following sugars is categorized as extrinsic?
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How do simple sugars contribute to tooth decay?
How do simple sugars contribute to tooth decay?
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Why are complex carbohydrates like starch less cariogenic?
Why are complex carbohydrates like starch less cariogenic?
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Which substance becomes supersaturated with phosphate and hydroxide ions in acidic environments?
Which substance becomes supersaturated with phosphate and hydroxide ions in acidic environments?
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What is a primary cause of dental caries?
What is a primary cause of dental caries?
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Which of the following statements is true about dental caries?
Which of the following statements is true about dental caries?
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Which area of the tooth is considered more susceptible to dental caries?
Which area of the tooth is considered more susceptible to dental caries?
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What do bacteria within the plaque biofilm primarily metabolize?
What do bacteria within the plaque biofilm primarily metabolize?
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Which factor is NOT part of the aetiology of dental caries?
Which factor is NOT part of the aetiology of dental caries?
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What metabolic product do bacteria produce when they metabolize fermentable carbohydrates?
What metabolic product do bacteria produce when they metabolize fermentable carbohydrates?
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Which of the following is true regarding the reversibility of dental caries?
Which of the following is true regarding the reversibility of dental caries?
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Which of the following surfaces on a tooth is NOT typically associated with increased susceptibility to caries?
Which of the following surfaces on a tooth is NOT typically associated with increased susceptibility to caries?
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What type of bacteria is primarily associated with enamel caries?
What type of bacteria is primarily associated with enamel caries?
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What effect does the production of lactic acid by anaerobic bacteria have on tooth enamel?
What effect does the production of lactic acid by anaerobic bacteria have on tooth enamel?
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In the Vipeholm study, which food was associated with the highest development of dental caries?
In the Vipeholm study, which food was associated with the highest development of dental caries?
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How does frequent sugar consumption affect calcium ions in the plaque?
How does frequent sugar consumption affect calcium ions in the plaque?
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What is the critical pH for enamel?
What is the critical pH for enamel?
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What was a major finding from Orland's 1954 experiments?
What was a major finding from Orland's 1954 experiments?
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Which condition leads to remineralization of teeth?
Which condition leads to remineralization of teeth?
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How does time between acid attacks affect caries risk?
How does time between acid attacks affect caries risk?
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The process of demineralisation of enamel begins when lactic acid is produced as a byproduct of which dietary component?
The process of demineralisation of enamel begins when lactic acid is produced as a byproduct of which dietary component?
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What pH level indicates a high risk of caries development?
What pH level indicates a high risk of caries development?
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What happens to enamel if the demineralisation process continues unchecked over time?
What happens to enamel if the demineralisation process continues unchecked over time?
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Which of the following sugars can quickly lower the pH of dental plaque?
Which of the following sugars can quickly lower the pH of dental plaque?
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What role does the frequency of sugar consumption play in dental caries development?
What role does the frequency of sugar consumption play in dental caries development?
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What role do anaerobic bacteria play in dental plaque?
What role do anaerobic bacteria play in dental plaque?
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What is one important aspect of saliva function in dental health?
What is one important aspect of saliva function in dental health?
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Which bacteria are primarily associated with caries development as pH decreases?
Which bacteria are primarily associated with caries development as pH decreases?
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Study Notes
Dental Caries Aetiology
- Dental caries is a localized chemical dissolution of a tooth surface caused by metabolic activity on fermentable carbohydrates in a microbial deposit (dental biofilm) covering a tooth surface.
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Susceptible tooth surface: All dental hard tissues are susceptible, but some areas are more susceptible, like:
- Pits and fissures
- Smooth surfaces
- Proximal areas
- Ledges/Overhangs
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Fermentable carbohydrates: Sugars provide the substrate for oral bacteria to metabolize and produce lactic acid.
- Sucrose is the most rapidly metabolized sugar due to its quick conversion into extracellular polysaccharides.
- Complex carbohydrates (starch) are not completely digested in the mouth, making them less cariogenic.
- Intrinsic sugars are naturally occurring sugars found in unprocessed foods like fruit and vegetables.
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Extrinsic sugars are not bound within a cell structure and include:
- Glucose
- Sucrose
- Fructose
- Starch
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Time: The duration of exposure to fermentable carbohydrates is crucial.
- Frequency: Regular consumption increases the time the tooth is exposed to acid, leading to a higher risk of caries.
- Stephan Curve: Demonstrates how plaque pH drops rapidly after exposure to fermentable carbohydrates, causing significant demineralization.
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Plaque Bacteria:
- Plaque biofilm contains various bacteria.
- Lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans thrive in acidic environments, contributing to caries formation.
- Anaerobic bacteria in deeper biofilm layers produce more lactic acid, further lowering pH and enhancing demineralization.
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Critical pH: The point below which tooth tissue begins to lose minerals to saliva or plaque.
- Enamel Critical pH: 5-5.5
- Dentine Critical pH: 6-6.5
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Evidence:
- Orland (1954): Germ-free rats demonstrated that bacteria are necessary for caries development.
- Orland (sugar-free diet): Sugar substrate is essential for caries formation.
- Vipeholm Study (1952): Demonstrated that the type and frequency of sugar consumption influence caries risk.
- Tristan de Cunha: Caries was prevalent on the island due to high sugar consumption.
Summary of Caries Development
- Caries develop on susceptible surfaces covered in plaque biofilm.
- Sugar consumption fuels lactic acid production by oral bacteria.
- Acid demineralizes enamel, releasing calcium ions into plaque.
- Mutans streptococci are strongly associated with enamel caries.
- Demineralization and remineralization are constantly occurring.
- Frequent sugar intake favors demineralization and can lead to white spot lesions.
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Description
Explore the factors contributing to dental caries in this quiz. Learn about the roles of fermentable carbohydrates, susceptible tooth surfaces, and the impact of various sugars on tooth decay. Test your knowledge on the microbial aspects of dental health.
