Dentifrice Glossary Terms

Question 1

Abrasive

Answer 1

A substance, such as silica, that is used for polishing or cleaning

Question 2

Acidogenic

Answer 2

Some thing that produces acid, such as cariogenic bacteria

Question 3

Anti-oxidant

Answer 3

A chemical compound or substance that inhibits oxidation

Question 4

Astringency

Answer 4

A taste experience, often an aftertaste, that causes the mouth to pucker

Question 5

Bioavailability

Answer 5

The degree to which a drug or substance is available to the target tissue following administration

Question 6

Calculus- calcified plaque

Answer 6

A hard yellowish deposit on the teeth consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts, such as calcium carbonate, Also called tartar

Question 7

Caries

Answer 7

A bacterial infection that results in demineralization and ultimately the destruction of tooth minerals

Cavities

Question 8

Cariogenic

Answer 8

Contributing to the production of caries

Question 9

Cation

Answer 9

An ion with a positive charge

Question 10

Chelate

Answer 10

Chemical compound that can form several non-covalent bonds to a single metal ion, sequestering it and preventing it from reacting with its surroundings

Question 11

Covalent

Answer 11

In chemistry, a chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more electrons, especially pairs of electrons, between atoms

Question 12

Cytoplasmic

Answer 12

The cell substance located between the cell membrane in the nucleus of the cell

Question 13

Demineralization

Answer 13

Chemical process by which tooth minerals are removed from the dental hard tissues: enamel, dentin and cementum

Process occurs through dissolution by acids or by chelation and the rate will vary due to the degree of supersaturation of the immediate environment of the tooth and presence or absence of fluoride

Question 14

Dental erosion

Answer 14

Localized loss of dental hard tissue that is chemically edged away from The tooth surface by acids or chelating agents.

Can be referred to as acid erosion or erosive tooth where. Teeth exhibiting signs of erosion lose their surface texture, may appear yellow and have an altered shape

Question 15

Dentinal hyper sensitivity

Answer 15

A short, sharp pain arising from exposed Dentin in response to stimuli which cannot be described to any other form of dental defect or pathology

These stimuli are typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic or chemical

Question 16

Dissociation

Answer 16

A general process in which ionic compounds separate or split into smaller particles, ions, or radicals, usually in a reversible manner

Question 17

Enzyme

Answer 17

Pro Tien that catalyzes, or facilitates, bio chemical reactions

Question 18

Enzymatic hydrolysis

Answer 18

Process indigestion and which macromolecules are split from food by the enzymatic addition of water

Question 19

Epidemiological

Answer 19

Dealing with the incidents, distribution, and control of disease in a population

Question 20

Extrinsic stain

Answer 20

Tooth stain on the exterior surface that can be removed through routine cleaning.

Generally composed of dietary chromogenic molecules and metal ions which become bound within the salivary pellicle layer that coats exposed tooth surfaces

Question 21

Fluorosis

Answer 21

Abnormal condition caused by an excessive intake of fluorine during the development period of the permanent teeth

Mottling

Question 22

Fluorohydroxyapatite

Answer 22

Crystal structure in tooth mineral resulting from the replacement of hydroxyl ions in the hydroxyapatite structure with fluoride ions

Fluorohydroxyapatite is stronger and more acid resistant than hydroxyapatite

Question 23

Gingivitis

Answer 23

Inflammation of the gums that often manifests as bleeding during brushing and flossing; mildest form of periodontal disease that is reversible

Question 24

Hydrolysis

Answer 24

Chemical reaction of a compound with water, generally resulting in the formation of one or more new compounds

Question 25

Hydroxyapatite

Answer 25

Crystal structure that forms the majority of the mineral make up of tooth enamel and Dentin

Question 26

Ions

Answer 26

Adams or molecules that Carrie either a positive or negative electrical charge in a solution. For example, sodium chloride in water dissociates into sodium and chlorine ions

Question 27

Intrinsic stain

Answer 27

Staining caused by the presence of pigment within the enamel or dentin. Intrinsic stain can often be mediated through bleaching procedures

Question 28

Meta-analysis

Answer 28

Statistical technique in which the results of two or more studies or mathematically combined in order to improve the reliability of the results

Studies chosen for inclusion must be sufficiently similar and a number of characteristics in order to accurately combine results

Question 29

Oxidation

Answer 29

Interaction between oxygen molecules and all of the different substances they may contact

Question 30

Plaque

Answer 30

Organized community of many different micro organisms that form itself into a bio film and found on the surface of the tongue and all hard surfaces in the oral cavity

Present in all people and can vary from being comprised of healthy microorganisms to being very harmful predisposing the patient dental caries or periodontal disease

Question 31

Phosphoenolpyruvate

Answer 31

Important chemical compound in bio chemistry that is directly involved in glycolysis. It is also the primary source of energy for the Phosphotransferase system

Question 32

Phosphotransferase system

Answer 32

Method used by bacteria for sugar uptake where the source of energy is from Phosphoenolpyruvate

Question 33

Prevalence

Answer 33

Percentage of the population that is affected with a particular disease at a given time

Question 34

Remineralization

Answer 34

Chemical process by which tooth minerals are replaced into the dental hard tissues: enamel, dentin and cementum

Process requires an environment that includes supersaturation with calcium and phosphate ions

Question 35

Supersaturation

Answer 35

Containing an amount of a substance greater than that required for saturation

Question 36

Systemic

Answer 36

Pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole

Question 37

Tartar- calcified plaque

Answer 37

Hard yellowish deposit on the teeth, consisting of organic secretions and food particles deposited in various salts such as calcium carbonate; also called calculus