Fluoride/ Traditional Caries Method Flashcards
What is enamel?
- Hardest and most mineralized tissue in the body
- Outer covering of enamel is made up of calcium and phosphate
What is dentin?
- Layer of tooth structure that is directly underneath the enamel and is positioned around the pulp
- Less mineralized than enamel, but more mineralized than bone or cementum
What is pulp?
- soft layer of a tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue
What bacteria causes caries?
Caused by S. mutans and lactobacilli found within plaque biofilm
Bacteria metabolize fermentable and complex ______________ and produce acids
carbohydrates
Acids diffuse into tooth and dissolve calcium & phosphate minerals in a process called…
demineralization
If acid attacks are infrequent/short duration, saliva aids in repair of damage by…
neutralizing acid and replacing minerals and fluoride lost from tooth (remineralization)
If flow of saliva is low and bacterial level is high, tooth mineral lost by acid attacks are too great for repair by remineralization, thus resulting in…
caries
Acids diffuse into tooth and dissolve __________________ minerals
calcium & phosphate
What are the pathologic factors associated with caries?
- Acid-producing bacteria (S. mutans)
- Low salivary flow
- Carbohydrates in diet
What are the protective factors associated with caries?
- Minerals in saliva (calcium, phosphate, fluoride, proteins)
- Normal salivary flow
- Antibacterial agents
Untreated caries present in more than ________ adults
1 in 5
Caries rates are disproportionately distributed among those of lower…
socioeconomic status
___% of pediatric population has caries present in primary dentition
10%
___% of pediatric population has caries present in permanent dentition
<3%
Caries is most prevalent in…
ethnic minority groups from lower income families
What is fluoride?
- A natural inorganic occurring mineral
- Naturally present at low concentrations in most fresh and saltwater sources
- Either the fluorine ion (F-) or a compound containing fluoride (NaF)
In the correct concentrations _________ can decrease the likelihood of dental caries
fluoride
What does fluoride do for caries?
- Aids in REMINERALIZATION and decreases the risk of carious lesions by up to 25%
Fluoride is a _________ to caries prevention - not a solution on its own
SUPPLEMENT
What is the priority for caries prevention?
Oral hygiene/plaque control is priority
What is systemic application of fluoride?
ingested agents delivered to the oral cavity via the bloodstream
What is topical application of fluoride?
strengthen teeth already in the mouth making them more resistant to caries
What are examples of systemic application of fluoride?
Water
Supplements
Food/beverages
What are examples of topical application of fluoride?
- Water
- Homecare products (toothpaste, mouth rinses, etc.)
- In-office products
Fluoride inhibits ___________ when present in solution
demineralization
Fluoride present on tooth surfaces and in plaque fluid inhibits acid demineralization by…
reducing the solubility of the tooth mineral
Fluoride enhances remineralization and accelerates remin process by…
absorbing into tooth surfaces and attracting calcium ions
Fluoride ions incorporate into remin tooth structures that result in the development of fluorapatite crystals which are ____ soluble than original enamel
less
What are examples of available delivery for systemic fluoride?
- Community water fluoridation
- School water fluoridation
- Fluoride supplements
- Foods containing fluoride
- Salt
What is the pre-eruptive benefit of systemic fluoride?
Fluoride is incorporated into the mineralizing structure during tooth development
What are the post-eruptive benefit of systemic fluoride?
- Fluoride present in saliva enhances mineralization of enamel during enamel maturation phase
- Systemic fluoride can have a cross-over topical fluoride effect as it passes through the oral cavity
What is the goal of community water fluoridation?
An increase of the natural fluoride level in a community’s water supply to a level optimal for dental health
____________ is considered one of the most cost-effective preventive dental program by public health
Water fluoridation
When cities discontinue water fluoridation, evidence demonstrates rapid increase in ______ rates
caries
What are the benefits of water fluoridation?
- 30-39% decrease in caries in primary dentition
- 35% decrease in children/adolescent permanent dentition
- Approximately 20-30% decrease in coronal caries and 20-40% decrease in root caries in adult population
The National Toxicology Program (NTP) evaluated claims surrounding fluoride use for oral health and its association with…
lowered IQ in developing children
A 2021 systematic review evaluated the association between fluoride exposure and neurological disorders and concluded there is…
not enough evidence to associate the two at this time
What is the optimal range for levels of water fluoridation?
0.6-1.2 ppm
What is the optimal range for the level of water fluoridation based on?
minimal caries with minimal fluorosis
___ ppm decreases caries with <10% of population with fluorosis
0.7
What is topical fluoride?
fluoride deposited in enamel during enamel maturation phase results in a concentration of fluoride in the enamel
Highest concentration of topical fluoride occurs on the outermost portion (5-10 microns) and ___________ as you move toward the dentin
decreases
Can topical fluoride cause fluorosis?
No
How does topical fluoride make the tooth more resistant to demineralization?
Fluoride ions are substituted into the hydroxyapatite crystal and form a stable, more compact bond making the tooth resistant to demineralization
The fluoride/enamel reaction is influenced by…
concentration of fluoride, pH of fluoride, and length of exposure
Acidic fluorides typically form ________
fluoride
calcium
Higher concentrations of fluoride form _______ fluoride
calcium
Neutral fluorides <100 ppm form…
fluorapatite
In-office fluorides are >9000 ppm, so they typically form ________ fluoride
calcium