Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary consequence of dental plaque accumulation on the teeth?
What is the primary consequence of dental plaque accumulation on the teeth?
How does sugar contribute to tooth decay?
How does sugar contribute to tooth decay?
What role does saliva play in the health of teeth?
What role does saliva play in the health of teeth?
Which of the following bacteria is NOT mentioned as part of the normal oral flora?
Which of the following bacteria is NOT mentioned as part of the normal oral flora?
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What can happen if more minerals are lost than replaced in tooth enamel?
What can happen if more minerals are lost than replaced in tooth enamel?
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What is dental caries commonly known as?
What is dental caries commonly known as?
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What is considered the most common infectious disease among humans?
What is considered the most common infectious disease among humans?
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Which component of plaque primarily contributes to the damage of teeth?
Which component of plaque primarily contributes to the damage of teeth?
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What happens to tooth enamel when it is exposed to acid from plaque?
What happens to tooth enamel when it is exposed to acid from plaque?
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Which practice helps in reducing the risk of tooth decay?
Which practice helps in reducing the risk of tooth decay?
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What leads to a toothache?
What leads to a toothache?
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Which species is primarily responsible for dental caries?
Which species is primarily responsible for dental caries?
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What is the initial stage of periodontal disease?
What is the initial stage of periodontal disease?
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Which bacteria are known to cause bad breath due to their metabolic byproducts?
Which bacteria are known to cause bad breath due to their metabolic byproducts?
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What substance do oral alpha-hemolytic viridans streptococci produce in the presence of sugars?
What substance do oral alpha-hemolytic viridans streptococci produce in the presence of sugars?
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How is periodontal disease best prevented?
How is periodontal disease best prevented?
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What is the best way to remove calculus from teeth?
What is the best way to remove calculus from teeth?
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What condition can result from mumps infection?
What condition can result from mumps infection?
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What agent is commonly used in the United States to help prevent tooth demineralization?
What agent is commonly used in the United States to help prevent tooth demineralization?
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What type of virus is responsible for mumps?
What type of virus is responsible for mumps?
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The pulp of the tooth contains nerve endings and blood vessels.
The pulp of the tooth contains nerve endings and blood vessels.
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Sucrose is responsible for the formation of bacteria-favorable plaque biofilm.
Sucrose is responsible for the formation of bacteria-favorable plaque biofilm.
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Streptococcus sobrinus is a prominent agent in the development of periodontal disease.
Streptococcus sobrinus is a prominent agent in the development of periodontal disease.
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Bad breath can result from metabolic byproducts of anaerobic bacteria.
Bad breath can result from metabolic byproducts of anaerobic bacteria.
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Fluoride is added to water to decrease the hardness of tooth enamel.
Fluoride is added to water to decrease the hardness of tooth enamel.
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Periodontal disease is reversible in its initial stages with the right dental hygiene.
Periodontal disease is reversible in its initial stages with the right dental hygiene.
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Mumps is a viral infection that can lead to neurological damage.
Mumps is a viral infection that can lead to neurological damage.
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Probiotics have no effect on the levels of S.mutans in the mouth.
Probiotics have no effect on the levels of S.mutans in the mouth.
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Plaque can be removed by brushing when it becomes calcified to form calculus.
Plaque can be removed by brushing when it becomes calcified to form calculus.
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The MMR vaccine is effective in preventing mumps infection.
The MMR vaccine is effective in preventing mumps infection.
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The human mouth is home to more than 500 known species of microorganisms.
The human mouth is home to more than 500 known species of microorganisms.
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Dental plaque is a beneficial biofilm that prevents tooth decay.
Dental plaque is a beneficial biofilm that prevents tooth decay.
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Tooth decay is the result of bacteria converting sugars into acids.
Tooth decay is the result of bacteria converting sugars into acids.
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Saliva contains minerals that help to restore tooth enamel after it has been damaged.
Saliva contains minerals that help to restore tooth enamel after it has been damaged.
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A cavity forms only when enamel is fully preserved.
A cavity forms only when enamel is fully preserved.
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Cutting out between-meal snacks can help in the fight against tooth decay.
Cutting out between-meal snacks can help in the fight against tooth decay.
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The dentine layer become vulnerable to bacteria only when tooth enamel is healthy.
The dentine layer become vulnerable to bacteria only when tooth enamel is healthy.
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Toothaches can occur when decay reaches the sensitive pulp area of the tooth.
Toothaches can occur when decay reaches the sensitive pulp area of the tooth.
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Regular brushing and flossing can help manage the bacterial load in the mouth.
Regular brushing and flossing can help manage the bacterial load in the mouth.
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Dental caries is considered the second most common infectious disease of humans.
Dental caries is considered the second most common infectious disease of humans.
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Study Notes
Oral Microbes and Infections
- Human mouth harbors a vast array of microbes, exceeding 500 known species, including bacteria (Streptococcus, Neisseria, Fusobacterium, Corynebacterium), fungi (Candida albicans), and protozoa (Trichomonas tenax, Entamoeba gingivalis).
- Bacteria form dental plaque, a biofilm on teeth. Anaerobic bacteria in plaque can damage surrounding tissues and bones.
- Sugary substances in the mouth lead to acid production by some oral streptococci, and this can erode teeth.
Dental Caries (Tooth Decay)
- Dental caries is the most prevalent human infectious disease.
- Bacteria in plaque (biofilm) thrive on sugars in food and drink.
- Bacteria convert sugars into acids, which erode tooth enamel.
- Saliva contains minerals that remineralize teeth, but if acid erosion exceeds remineralization, cavities form.
- Bacteria can penetrate into the deeper layers of teeth (pulp), causing toothaches.
- Prevention includes reducing sugary foods/drinks, regular brushing, and flossing.
- Fluoride in drinking water strengthens enamel and helps remineralize.
- Probiotics and vaccines are being developed as additional preventive strategies.
- The main cause of dental caries is alpha-hemolytic viridans streptococci, such as Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria form plaque biofilms, and produce acids that damage teeth.
Periodontal Disease
- Periodontal disease is a common infection, affecting nearly everyone by age 45.
- It's a complex condition caused by specific microbial communities in dental plaque biofilms, including anaerobic bacteria like Fusobacterium, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
- These anaerobic, gram-negative bacteria cause bad breath.
- The disease starts with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
- Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, affecting deeper tissues and bones.
- Deepening pockets around teeth are common in periodontitis, and teeth can become loose and fall out.
- Calculus (hardened plaque) contributes to inflammation and disease progression.
- The best prevention is regular and thorough plaque removal via brushing and flossing.
- Treatment involves cleaning calculus and maintaining good oral hygiene.
- Surgical intervention may be necessary to reduce pocket depths.
Infection of Salivary Glands: Mumps
- The mumps virus (paramyxovirus) infects salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, causing inflammation (Parotitis), fever, and malaise.
- The virus is spread through salivary and respiratory secretions.
- Humans are the only reservoir for this RNA, enveloped virus.
- Prevention: MMR vaccine (live, attenuated).
- Complications can include meningitis and neurological damage.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the diverse array of microbes found in the human mouth and their role in dental caries. This quiz covers the relationship between oral bacteria, sugar consumption, and tooth decay, highlighting preventive measures to maintain oral health. Assess your understanding of infections and the importance of dental hygiene.
