DN15 Flashcards
THREE MAIN ORAL DISEASES OF CONCERN:
DENTAL CARIES - the bacterial infection of the mineralised tissues of the tooth
GINGIVITIS - the inflammation of the gingival tissues at the neck of the tooth
PERIODONTITIS - the inflammation of the supporting structures of the tooth
DENTAL CARIES:
dental caries is a bacterial disease of the mineralised tissues of the tooth, where the strong crystal structure found in both enamel and dentine is DEMINERALISED (dissolved) by the actions of acids
RELEVENT FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL CARIES?
- the presence of certain types of BACTERIA
- CARBOHYDRATE FOODS
- the production of WEAK ORGANIC ACIDS by these bacteria
- adequate TIME OR FREQUENCY for the acids to attack the tooth
STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS
the main MICROORGANISM which initiates the process of caries
CARIOGENIC FOODS:
CARBOHYDRATES can be turned into into acid by bacteria and thereby cause caries, so they are described as cariogenic foods becuase they are capable of causing caries
INTRINSIC SUGARS:
found naturally in foods, such as FRUCTOSE in fruits
MILK EXTRINSIC SUGARS:
especially lactose considered harmless
EXAMPLES OF ADDED SUGAR FOODS THAT CAN CAUSE CARIES:
- cake, biscuits, jam and sweets
- breakfast cereals
- pastry, desserts, canned fruit, syrups and ice cream
- soft drinks
- hot beverages sweetened with sugar
DEFINITION OF STAGNATION AREAS
parts of a tooth most prone to caries are those where food tends to collect easily during normal chewing movements and plaque bacteria can flourish
COMMON STAGNATION AREA’S:
occlusal fissures and the spaces between the mesial and distal surfaces of adjoining teeth (the interproximal areas, or contact points) are the commonest stagnation areas.
PROCESS OF CAVITY FORMATION:
- white spots
- enamel decay
- dentine decay
- involvement of the pulp
- abscess formation
- tooth loss
IRREVERSIBLE PULPITIS
pulpitis (inflammation of the pulp occurs when caries extends through the dentine to reach the pulp. pulpitis may be acute or chronic. it has many causes, apart from caries, but almost always ends in pulp death.
ACUTE ALVEOLAR ABSCESS:
- extremely painful condition
- the affected tooth becomes loose and very tender to the slightest pressure
- there is continual throbbing pain and the surrounding gums is red and swollen
- frequently, inflammatory swlling invloves the whole side of the face and the patient may have a raised body tempreture (pyrexia)
- looseness is caused by swelling of the periodontal ligament
- acute alveolar abscess may show all of the cardinal signs of acute inflammation:
- pain
- swelling
- redness
- heat
- loss of function
- raised body tempreture
WHAT COMPONENTS DO SALIVA CONTAIN?
- WATER, as a transport agent for all of the other constituents
- INORGANIC IONS AND MINERALS, such as calcium ions and phosphate
- PTYALIN, a digestive enzyme that acts on carbohydrates
- ANTIBODIES, as part of the defensive immune system, as known as IMMUNOGLOBULINS
- LEUCOCYTES, or white blood cells, also part of the body’s defence system
FUNCTION INORGANIC IONS AND MINERALS IN SALIVA
are released as required to act as a BUFFERING AGENTS to help control the pH of the oral environment, by neutralising the organic acids produced by bacteria
a high inorganic ion/mineral content produces thick, stringy saliva which gives the teeth good protection against caries, but allows DENTAL CALCULUS (tartar to form easily in large amounts
a low inorganic ion/mineral content produces watery saliva, which offers little protection to the teeth against caries, but prevents large amounts of calculus from forming
FUNCTION ON WATER IN SALIVA
water forms the carrying agent for the other salivary constituents and allows self-cleansing of the oral enviroment to occur by DISLODGING FOOD DEBRIS from the teeth before being swallowed
the water also Moistens the food bolus and the soft tissues, allowing SWALLOWING (deglutition) and SPEECH to occur
it also DISSOLVES food particles, so that the sensation of TASTE is produced
ANTIBODIES AND LEUCOCYTES IN SALIVA:
the antibodies and leucocytes help to protect and defend the oral environment from infection by microorganisms
THE REDUCED SALIVARY FLOW CONDITION:
the condition of reduced salivary flow is called EXROSTOMIA or DRYMOUTH. causes of this are as follows:
- low fluid intake over a period of time, or even dehydration
- some autoimmune disorders, especially sjorgen’s syndrome, which specifically affects the salivary glands and the lacrimal glands of the eyes, which produce tears
- several routinely prescribed drugs, including DIURETICS, ANTIDEPRESSANTS, and BETA-BLOCKERS