Exam 2: Articles and Clinical Views Flashcards
1
Q
The ____ in bubblegum causes a _____ in the pH of saliva, and the acid erodes the ______, thus exposing the tooth to bacterial decay.
A
sucrose, decrease, tooth enamel
2
Q
What type of bacteria causes dental caries?
A
oral streptococci
3
Q
name 3 oral streptococci
A
S. mutans, s. salivarius, and s. sobrinus
4
Q
How does oral streptococci lower the pH of saliva?
A
it ferments sucrose and produces lactic acid, which lowers the salivary pH.
5
Q
a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, that can significantly lower the number of dental caries
A
xylitol
6
Q
how does xylitol lower the number of dental caries
A
s. mutans cannot ferment xylitol; consequently, it doesn’t grow and can’t produce acid in the mouth
