Caries Symposium Flashcards
What is dental caries?
Dental caries- a disease of the dental hard tissues caused by the action of microorganisms, found in plaque, on fermentable carbohydrates. At an individual level, caries is a preventable disease.
What are the risk factors for caries in children?
Risk indicators in children: Oral hygiene Diet Bacterial exposure Socioeconomic status Breast/bottle feeding Fluoride exposure Parental smoking Parental oral health status
What is nursing caries?
Caries in an infant that is present due to feeding through a baby bottle- typically effects the anterior maxillary teeth. Can be prevented through diet, oral hygiene and fluoride exposure.
Pregnant women should be advised that taking fluoride supplements during pregnancy is not advised due to fluoride not crossing the placenta during pregnancy.
.
What diet advice would you give to pregnant women during pregnancy?
-No benefit of taking fluoride supplements during pregnancy.
What diet advice would you give to parents and carers for their children?
- Soya infant formulae are potentially cariogenic and should only be used for medical reasons.
- Parents should not put children to bed with a bottle/feeder.
- Foods containing free sugars (any sugars added to food or drink) should be minimised.
- Water or milk should be given instead of drinks containing free sugars (including natural fruit juices) in-between meals.
- Cheese is a good food for toddlers as it is non-cariogenic and is actively protective against caries.
- Sugar substitutes in food are preferable compared to those containing sugars eg. xylitol.
When should a women stop breastfeeding?
Between 3-6 months otherwise it could cause caries when the baby starts teething. A bottle with a free flow spout should be used.
What are safe snacks to eat to lessen the caries risk?
Milk, water, savoury sandwiches, crackers and cheese, breadsticks, crisps ( ones that don’t have a weird shape as its the sugar that holds this shape together).
Where can fluoride be found in dental products?
- water, toothpaste, supplements, app gels and varnishes. Slow releasing devices too.
What does DMFT mean?
Decay, missing and filled teeth.
When do children have the manual dexterity to brush their teeth themselves?
Age 8.
What are the toothpaste strength recommendations?
First tooth eruption- 3 years 1000ppmF for standard risk kids 4-16 years 1000-1500ppmF for standard risk kids High risk children under 10 years 1500ppmF High risk 10 and over 2800ppmF (prescription only) High risk 16 and over 5000ppmF (prescription only)
What is the correct amount of toothpaste to be used for each age group>
Smear of paste (approx. 0.1ml) for children under 3
Pea-sized amount (approx. 0.25ml) for children age 3 and over
Following these recommendations will decease the risk of mild fluorosis.
Look over toothbrushing handout.
!
What is the amount of toothpaste ingested to receive a probable toxic dose?
-5mg/kg body weight
How do you treat fluoride toxicity?
Management by dosage
<5mg/kg Give calcium orally (milk) and observe for a few hours.
5-15mg/kg Give calcium orally (milk, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate) and admit to hospital.
> 15mg/kg Admit to hospital immediately, cardiac monitoring and life support, intravenous calcium gluconate.
The ingested fluoride dose from 1 tube of 1000ppm toothpaste is 90mg resulting in a fluoride ingestion of between 5 to 15mg/kg which should be managed as above.
Previously it was considered standard practice to administer an emetic to induce vomiting, however modern protocols advise against induction of vomiting in any poisoning due to the risk of aspiration of vomitus.
What is the strength of fluoride tablets prescribed for high risk children?
1mg F sucked daily.
Why can children over six only use fluoride mouthwashes?
Children under 6 might not expectorate the mouthwash propely- children over 6 must be assessed to see if they can properly do this.
When should fluoride varnish be applied to pre-school children teeth?
Twice yearly for preschool children that have an increased caries risk. Floss between contact areas- can be sued in adults too.
