Diet and Dental Caries

Question 1

How does dental caries form?

Answer 1

1. Excess sugar puts a stress onto the oral cavity
2. This leads to excess acid production
3. This decreases the pH of the oral cavity (ecological change)
4. Ecological shift occurs and mutans streps and lactobacilli concentration increases
5. This can lead to caries formation

Question 2

List some factors that can effect dental caries formation

Answer 2

1. Saliva flow rate and composition
2. Fluoride
3. Diet
4. Microbial species
5. Buffer capacity
6. Sugar

Question 3

How many variance of caries can be explained by sugar consumption

Answer 3

2-6%

Question 4

List some children who may be put into the high risk group for caries

Answer 4

1. Low socio economic groups
2. Certain immigrants
3. Patients with learning disabilities
4. Physical and medical disabilities
5. Nursing bottle caries

Question 5

Name some simple carbohydrates

Answer 5

1. Sucrose
2. Fructose
3. Lactose
4. Glucose

Question 6

Name some complex carbohydrates

Answer 6

Starches

Question 7

Where can sucrose be found

Answer 7

Sugar

Confectionary

Question 8

Where can glucose be found

Answer 8

Fruits and vegetable

Question 9

Where can fructose be found

Answer 9

Honey

Fruits

Question 10

Where can lactose be found

Answer 10

Milk

Question 11

State the critical pH

Answer 11

5.5

Question 12

What happens when the pH is below 5.5

Answer 12

Demineralisation occurs at a faster rate than remineralisation

Question 13

Name the 2 different sub categories of sugar

Answer 13

1. Intrinsic sugars

2. Extrinsic sugars

Question 14

Where are intrinsic sugars found

Answer 14

Present WITHIN food

Question 15

Where are extrinsic sugars found

Answer 15

They are free within or added to food

Question 16

Which is safer for teeth intrinsic or extrinsic sugars?

Answer 16

Intrinsic

Question 17

Lists some drinks erosive potential

Answer 17

1. Fruit juices
2. Crodials
3. Carbonated drink
4. Alcoholic drink like white wine

Question 18

Define critical pH

Answer 18

The pH at which enamel begins to dissolve

Question 19

What is titratable acidity

Answer 19

The amount of alkaline (NaOH) needed to neutralise the acid in a product

Question 20

What can happen if you brush your teeth after an acid attack

Answer 20

Can increase risk of tooth surface

Question 21

What can decrease tooth surface look

Answer 21

1. The use of a 2000ppm fluoride before
   brushing
2. Drinking with a narrow straw at the back of the mouth reduces erosion

Question 22

What recommendations should we give our patients to reduce erosion

Answer 22

1. Use soft toothbrush
2. Use 1450ppm fluoride toothpaste
3. Use fluoridated mouth wash
4. Apply fluoride at practice (Duraphat)

Question 23

Give examples of early childhood caries

Answer 23

1. Nursing bottle caries

2. Baby bottle caries

Question 24

Give some practical advice we can give parents

Answer 24

1. Encourage children to brush twice a day
2. Reduce frequency of cariogenic food
3. Ideally serve soft drinks at meals or use a straw
4. Try not to eat before sleeping