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Questions and Answers
What is the primary cause of demineralization of the enamel in dental caries?
What is the primary cause of demineralization of the enamel in dental caries?
- Accumulation of specific strains of bacteria on the enamel surface (correct)
- High consumption of acidic foods
- Genetic predisposition to enamel erosion
- Inadequate production of saliva
What happens if the process of dental caries is not stopped?
What happens if the process of dental caries is not stopped?
- The tooth becomes hypersensitive to temperature
- The enamel regenerates naturally
- The bacteria are naturally eliminated from the enamel
- The tooth becomes destroyed (correct)
What is the correlation between caries activity and sugar consumption?
What is the correlation between caries activity and sugar consumption?
- Caries activity is closely correlated with the amount of sugar consumed per capita (correct)
- Caries activity increases with higher protein consumption
- Caries activity decreases with higher sugar consumption
- Caries activity is unrelated to sugar consumption
What is the role of refined carbohydrates in the prevalence of dental caries in industrialized countries?
What is the role of refined carbohydrates in the prevalence of dental caries in industrialized countries?
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What are the key factors involved in dental caries?
What are the key factors involved in dental caries?
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Study Notes
Causes and Consequences of Dental Caries
- Demineralization of enamel in dental caries primarily results from the production of acids by bacteria that metabolize sugars and carbohydrates, damaging the tooth structure.
- If the dental caries process remains unchecked, it can lead to tooth decay, infection, pain, and even tooth loss, compromising oral health significantly.
Sugar Consumption and Caries Activity
- There is a direct correlation between caries activity and sugar consumption; higher sugar intake increases the risk of dental caries due to enhanced acid production by harmful bacteria.
- Refined carbohydrates, often found in processed foods, contribute heavily to the prevalence of dental caries in industrialized countries by providing easy access to fermentable sugars that promote bacterial growth.
Key Factors in Dental Caries
- Multiple factors influence the development of dental caries, including the presence of susceptible tooth surfaces, cariogenic bacteria, frequent sugar exposure, and insufficient fluoride exposure for prevention.
- Saliva plays a protective role against dental caries, helping to neutralize acids and remineralize enamel, making its flow and quality critical for oral health.
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