Dental Health Flashcards
What is periodontal disease?
gingival inflammation ACCOMPANIED BY loss of supportive connective tissue (alveolar bone), around the tooth, preceded by gingivitis
What happens in periodontal disease?
chronic inflammatory response prompts body to break down and destroy own bone and soft tissue, deepening pockets between gums/teeth are generally indicative that soft tissue and bone is being destroyed
What are some common causes of gum disease?
poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, genetics, pregnancy & menopause, chronic stress/poor diet, diabetes, grinding teeth, medication
How many teeth do adults have?
32
What are ectoderm and mesoderms jobs?
ectoderm forms dental enamel, mesoderm forms pulp and dentin
How many teeth do we have in utero?
20
What is the clinical presentation of dental caries?
tooth decay, cavities
most common childhood disease
What are the risk factors for dental caries?
low income children, minorities
What is the causation of dental caries?
bacteria–> sugar carbs –> acids, which dissolve teeth (STREP MUTANS)
How do you treat someone with dental caries?
Probably refer to dentist, but also educate on important dental hygiene, suggest antibacterial mouth rinse, gum with xylitol, fluoride
What is gingivitis?
redness, ringing around teeth, swelling, bleeding from any provocation.
risk is pregnancy
What is the cause of gingivitis?
most associated with plaque buildup, no dental hygiene
What is the concern with gingivitis?
can spread through the blood to damage heart valves or joints, secondary infections: necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (systemic symptoms), ulcerated necrotic gingiva (immune disorders and malnutrition)
What is a dental abscess?
purulence of tooth, continuous pain (extreme, sharp, growing, shooting throbbing), sensitive to touch, swollen
What causes a dental abscess?
bacteria
