Preventive Dentistry Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the primary benefit of fluoride after teeth have erupted?

Fluoride protects teeth primarily through systemic ingestion.

Fluoride provides a topical effect that helps combat dental caries. (correct)

Fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel during development.

Fluoride increases the hardness of saliva, enhancing oral health.

Which concentration of fluoride is equivalent to 1ppm?

1mg fluoride per gallon of water.

1mg fluoride per liter of water. (correct)

1mg fluoride per 100 liters of water.

1mg fluoride per kilogram of solid food.

Which of the following compounds is formed when fluorine reacts with calcium?

Calcium phosphate.

Sodium fluoride.

Magnesium fluoride.

Calcium fluoride. (correct)

What element is fluorine most similar to in terms of reactivity?

Chlorine. Signup and view all the answers

How has fluoride been administered to provide dental benefits?

Through daily exposure to low concentrations in drinking water. Signup and view all the answers

Fluoride is classified as which type of element?

Halogen. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the neutral pH environment of the cytoplasm?

It dissociates into protons and fluoride ions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of fluoride on mineralized tooth tissues during development?

It makes them less prone to plaque acids. Signup and view all the answers

How does the acidity of gastric content affect fluoride absorption?

Higher acidity leads to faster absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the ionic compound formed from calcium and fluoride?

Calcium flouride. Signup and view all the answers

In which area does the fluoride concentration in dentine decrease progressively?

From the pulpal surface to the dentine-enamel junction Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of fluoride is typically absorbed when food rich in calcium is consumed?

60% Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the percentage of fluoride reabsorbed from the renal tubules?

pH of the tubular fluid Signup and view all the answers

How does the fluoride concentration in bulk enamel relate to fluoride exposure?

It primarily reflects fluoride exposure during tooth formation Signup and view all the answers

Where is most of the fluoride that escapes absorption from the stomach absorbed?

Proximal small intestine. Signup and view all the answers

What role does plasma play in fluoride distribution in the body?

Plasma distributes fluoride to the site of action. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to surface enamel fluoride concentrations as a person ages?

They decrease in areas of tooth wear Signup and view all the answers

Which fluoride compound is less completely absorbed due to lower solubility?

CaF2. Signup and view all the answers

Which body fluid primarily excretes fluoride?

Urine Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the ionic form of fluoride in human plasma?

It plays a crucial role in dentistry and public health. Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for peak plasma concentration of fluoride to occur after absorption?

30-60 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing urinary fluoride clearance?

Time of day Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between plasma fluoride levels and age?

Plasma fluoride levels increase with age. Signup and view all the answers

What factor significantly affects the clearance of fluoride from the body?

pH balance. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of fluoride in bone distinguishes it from that in enamel?

Bone acts as a reservoir maintaining concentration Signup and view all the answers

What is generally true about fluoride clearance in adults compared to other halogens?

Fluoride clearance is higher than that of chloride, iodide, and bromide Signup and view all the answers

What form of fluoride is thought to migrate across cell membranes and establish diffusion equilibrium?

Hydrogen fluoride (HF) Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of the body burden of fluoride associated with calcified tissues?

99 percent Signup and view all the answers

During acute fluoride toxicity, which physiological adjustment may help promote fluoride flux out of cells?

Increasing extracellular pH Signup and view all the answers

In which region of the body is fluoride concentration highest in long bones?

Periosteal region Signup and view all the answers

How does the concentration of ionic fluoride in soft and hard tissue relate to intake?

It is directly related to the amount of intake. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about plasma fluoride levels?

They have a normal physiologic concentration. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to fluoride excretion in individuals with impaired renal function?

It is reduced. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of fluoride found in feces?

Ingested fluoride that is not absorbed. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of fluoride intake is typically excreted in sweat?

50 percent under excessive sweating Signup and view all the answers

How much of the absorbed fluoride is reported to appear in saliva?

Less than 1 percent Signup and view all the answers

What role does saliva play concerning fluoride levels in the oral cavity?

It helps recycle consumed fluoride. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about fluoride excretion in human metabolism is incorrect?

Fluoride in saliva is reliant on the flow rate. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fluorides in Dentistry

Fluoride helps control dental caries by enhancing tooth resistance to plaque acids during tooth development.
Topical fluoride application is most effective post-eruption of teeth, primarily from frequent exposure to low concentrations in water, diet, toothpaste, and mouth rinses.
Fluoride concentration is measured in parts per million (ppm), equivalent to 1 mg of fluoride per liter of water.

Fluoride in the Environment

Fluorine, a highly reactive halogen, is never found in its elemental form; it forms salts like calcium fluoride (CaF2).
Fluoride can be absorbed from multiple sources, including fluoride-polluted air and some fluorinated drugs.
The absorption of fluoride varies with solubility; highly soluble compounds (e.g., NaF) are better absorbed than less soluble ones (e.g., CaF2).

Distribution of Fluoride in the Body

Fluoride in Plasma

Peak plasma concentration occurs within 30 to 60 minutes after fluoride intake; no regulated normal physiologic concentration exists.
Ionic fluoride (inorganic or free fluoride) is significant in dentistry and public health, detected by specific electrodes.

Fluoride in Soft Tissues

Intracellular fluoride levels are 10-50% lower than plasma concentrations, varying with extracellular pH.
Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is believed to establish diffusion equilibrium across cell membranes.

Fluoride in Calcified Tissues

About 99% of body fluoride is found in calcified tissues.
Fluoride concentration in bones is not uniform; higher levels are found in periosteal regions.
Dentine fluoride levels are similar to bone, whereas enamel shows lower concentrations, declining over time with wear but increasing in plaque-accrued areas.

Fluoride Excretion

In Urine

Predominantly excreted through urine, fluoride undergoes variable reabsorption in renal tubules, which fluctuates between 10 to 90%, influenced by urinary pH and flow.
Normal renal clearance ranges from 30 to 50 ml/min, significantly higher than other halogens.

In Feces

Most fecal fluoride is unabsorbed fluoride or re-excreted absorbed fluoride, accounting for less than 10% of total fluoride intake.

In Sweat

Only a small percentage of fluoride is lost through sweat; can rise to 50% during excessive sweating.

In Saliva

Less than 1% of absorbed fluoride appears in saliva, which is about two-thirds the concentration of plasma fluoride.
Salivary fluoride is crucial for maintaining levels in the oral cavity, facilitating recycling within the body.

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Description

Test your knowledge on dental caries prevention and the role of fluorides in dentistry. This quiz covers essential concepts related to fluoride use in enhancing tooth resistance against decay. Learn about the mechanisms and benefits of fluoride during tooth development.