Dental Caries Flashcards
How are dental caries called?
When plaque bacteria combine with sugars in food to produce acids that erode tooth enamel.
How is this plaque acid produced?
When free sugars in food and drink react with and dissolve minerals on the enamel.
How can a diet high in sugar and fizzy drinks leads to dental caries?
It provides the plaque bacteria with the sugar they need to use as energy to release acid.
This eventually dissolved the enamel and causes dental caries.
How can regular snacking contribute to dental caries?
After eating or drinking, acid can attack the enamel over an hour.
This can cause dental erosion which means enamel is lost form the surface of the roof and this increases the risk of dental caries.
It increases the time the teeth are exposed to acid and increases the frequency of demineralisation.
How can a diet reduced in sugar reduce the risk of dental caries?
It reduces the amount of time the teeth are exposed to free sugars, which react with bacteria in the plaque to create acid, this acid causes dental caries.
How can free sugars increase the risk of dental caries?
Plaque on the teeth contain many different bacteria which will react with free sugars in food and drinks, creating acid.
This acid dissolves minerals (eg. Calcium) from the enamel in a process called demineralisation.
Who is most at risk of dental caries?
Children and adolescents
Why are young children more at risk of dental caries?
The enamel on their teeth, which have just emerged, is not very strong and so is susceptible to acid attack.
What are some factors that may contribute to dental caries?
Diet high in foods and drinks containing free sugars
Overconsumption of acidic fruit juices and fizzy drinks
Regular snacking and grazing
Poor dental hygiene
Diet low in fibre and calcium
Why can foods high in calcium reduce the risk of dental caries?
Strengthen teeth
Reduce acid in the mouth
Why is drinking water a good way to prevent dental caries?
Increases flow of saliva which neutralises the acid produced by plaque.
Why is eating foods rich in fibre important to prevent dental caries?
Stimulates the production of saliva, which neutralises acid in the mouth and encourages remineralisation.
What is remineralisation?
When minerals are restored to tooth enamel.
Which nutrient has a role in protecting teeth against tooth decay?
Fluoride.
How often should we visit the dentist?
Every 6 months.
