10 Dental Cariology Lecture

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Questions and Answers

What is essential for microorganisms to survive in the oral environment?

Ability to flow with saliva

Ability to adhere to oral surfaces (correct)

Ability to consume sugars

Ability to reproduce rapidly

Which types of areas are considered favorable for pathogenic biofilm growth?

Open spaces in the mouth

Areas exposed to air

Highly polished tooth surfaces

Pits and fissures (correct)

What role does saliva play in dental health?

It absorbs fermentable carbohydrates.

It destroys biofilm on tooth surfaces.

It provides a constant opportunity for remineralizing enamel. (correct)

It causes teeth to decay.

Which organism is primarily associated with adhering to oral surfaces?

Streptococcus mutans Signup and view all the answers

Where are caries lesions most frequently found?

In the pits and fissures Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to have higher susceptibility to dental caries?

Individuals taking medications that decrease salivary production. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of free-floating organisms in the mouth?

They are cleared rapidly by salivary flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of professional tooth cleaning on biofilm?

It removes bacteria without destroying them. Signup and view all the answers

Which area of the teeth is NOT ideal for the accumulation of biofilm?

Exposed areas of enamel Signup and view all the answers

How do fermentable carbohydrates influence cariogenic biofilm?

High-frequency exposure produces cariogenic biofilm. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to biofilm growth when fermentable carbohydrates are restricted?

Biofilm growth typically does not lead to caries. Signup and view all the answers

What do caries lesions signify in the context of dental health?

An underlying condition favoring demineralization Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of professional tooth cleaning?

To control biofilm and prevent disease Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the composition of biofilm found on teeth?

Predominantly made up of bacteria, by-products, and water Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following communities is found mainly in the gingival sulcus?

Complex community of filamentous and spiral bacteria Signup and view all the answers

What happens if only symptomatic treatment is provided for caries without addressing the underlying factors?

The underlying causes will worsen and disease progression continues Signup and view all the answers

In relation to dental caries, what is the role of pathologic factors?

They lead to demineralization of tooth structure Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes biofilm from regular dental plaque?

Biofilm consists of a more complex matrix of organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect to consider when addressing dental caries in patients?

Understanding the role of multiple contributing factors is crucial Signup and view all the answers

How frequently does dental plaque form on the surface of teeth?

Every 12 hours Signup and view all the answers

What does an imbalance between protective and pathologic factors result in?

Increased risk of dental caries Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key roles of saliva in relation to dental health?

To act as a natural anticaries agent Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism allows saliva to clear bacteria from the oral cavity?

Flushing effect of salivary flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component that gives saliva its buffering capacity?

Bicarbonate ions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a protective mechanism of saliva?

Enzymatic digestion of tissues Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following salivary components has antibacterial activity?

Lysozyme Signup and view all the answers

How does saliva contribute to tooth remineralization?

By supplying calcium and phosphate ions Signup and view all the answers

What effect do buffers in saliva have on dental health?

They neutralize acids and reduce acid formation potential Signup and view all the answers

What type of biofilm does professional tooth cleaning aim to control?

Harmful plaque Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of professional tooth cleaning?

To control biofilm (plaque) and prevent disease Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the pH of the mouth after eating something?

It drops below the critical point of 5.5 Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take for saliva to return the mouth to a safe pH level after eating?

30-40 minutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with prolonged snacking?

Extended time under acidic conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical pH level that should be maintained to prevent dental caries?

Above 5.5 Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes dental caries as an infectious disease?

It can be transmitted through saliva. Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical pH level for enamel demineralization?

5.5 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is essential for caries management?

Remineralization and demineralization balance. Signup and view all the answers

Cariogenic bacteria metabolize which type of nutrient to produce acidic byproducts?

Refined carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to calcium and phosphate during a low pH state in tooth biofilm?

They are lost to the biofilm. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT contribute to the risk of dental caries?

High calcium intake. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of saliva in the context of dental caries?

It can help in the remineralization process. Signup and view all the answers

What is the incubation period in the context of dental caries?

Time between infection and the first symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dental Cariology Lecture

The lecture is about dental cariology, a 4-exam course with lots of questions and 4 clinical sessions.
The day is coming when preventive dentistry will replace reparative dentistry focusing on understanding the etiology and pathology of dental caries.
Dental caries is a multifactorial, transmissible, and infectious oral disease causing localized dissolution and destruction of calcified tissue.
Caries is caused by a combination of factors via saliva.
Characteristics of an infectious disease apply to dental caries, including a source of infection (bacteria), host resistance, transmission via media (saliva), recurrence if untreated, and an incubation period.
Cariogenic bacteria in the biofilm metabolize carbohydrates for energy, producing organic acids.
These acids lower biofilm pH below a critical level (5.5 for enamel, 6.2 for dentin), leading to demineralization.
Demineralization involves the tooth releasing calcium and phosphate into the biofilm to reach equilibrium, resulting in a net mineral loss.
When the pH in the biofilm returns to neutral and soluble calcium and phosphate levels are supersaturated, minerals are deposited back into the demineralized enamel, a process called remineralization.
The balance between demineralization and remineralization is crucial for caries management.
Caries lesions indicate an imbalance between pathologic and protective factors.
Factors involved in causing caries include primary factors (tooth anatomy, saliva, Biofilm pH, use of fluoride, diet, immune system, and genetic factors) and secondary factors (socioeconomic status, education, life-style, environment, age, ethnic group, and occupation).
Pathological factors that contribute to caries include frequent sugar consumption, inadequate fluoride intake, poor oral hygiene, and salivary dysfunction.
Protective factors include a healthy diet, brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, professional topical fluoride application, and maintenance- or preventive-therapeutic sealants and normal salivary function.
Symptomatic treatment is important, but addressing underlying causative factors is crucial for stopping the disease.
Caries lesions can be categorized as smooth-surface, pit-and-fissure, occlusal, proximal, enamel, dentin, coronal, and root caries.
Primary caries lesions are not adjacent to existing restorations or crowns, while secondary/recurrent caries lesions are.
Residual caries is carious tissue not completely excavated before a restoration is placed.
Active caries lesions show ongoing tooth demineralization during examination, while inactive/arrested caries have stopped but still have clinical signs.
Rampant caries describes widespread, multiple cavitated, active caries lesions.
Biofilm is a sticky film of bacteria, bacteria products, extracellular matrix, and water that accumulates on teeth.
Oral bacteria are unique to the oral environment. Survival depends on the ability to adhere to oral surfaces.
Saliva is a natural anticaries agent, clearing free-floating microorganisms via flow and frequent swallowing.
The salivary protective mechanisms maintaining oral flora include bacterial clearance, direct antibacterial activity, buffering, and remineralization.
Bacterial clearance maintains a healthy oral flora.
Direct antibacterial activity involves protective proteins such as lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, and agglutinins.
The buffering capacity of saliva, determined primarily by bicarbonate ion concentration, has the effect of neutralizing acids.
Saliva contains calcium and phosphate ions to remineralize enamel.
Individuals with reduced saliva production due to illness, medication, or irradiation are susceptible to higher caries rates.
Oral hygiene, including tooth brushing and flossing, removes oral bacteria from tooth surfaces but does not kill all of them; it only cleans them.
Frequent carbohydrate exposure, specifically sucrose, contributes to cariogenic biofilm production.
The Stephan Curve depicts how pH changes during the day.
It is important to understand that every time you consume something, there is a drop in the pH of the mouth and it takes 30-40 minutes for saliva to return to the healthy range.
The longer you snack, the longer you are at risk.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts in dental cariology, including the etiology and pathology of dental caries. You will explore the multifactorial nature of caries, the role of cariogenic bacteria, and the importance of preventive measures in dentistry. Prepare to test your understanding of how dental caries affects oral health.