Impact of Oral Public Health

Question 1

What are the stages of Tooth Decay?

Answer 1

• Decay in the enamel
• Decay in the the dentin
• Decay in the pulp

Question 2

What are Dental caries also known as?

Answer 2

Dental caries are also known as decay

Question 3

What are the stages of periodontal disease?

Answer 3

1. Healthy
2. Gingivitis
3. Periodontal pockets
4. Periodontitis

Question 4

What does the AAPD stand for?

Answer 4

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Question 5

What does the AAPD guidelines advise?

Answer 5

They advise all pregnant women to receive counseling and oral healthcare during pregnancy.

Question 6

What is proper dental care for a baby with no teeth?

Answer 6

Even before the baby has teeth, the parents should wipe the gums gently with a wet cloth.

Question 7

When should babies (infants) undergo their first oral health assessment?

Answer 7

Infants should undergo an oral health assessment by their first birthday.

Question 8

What should parents avoid sharing with their baby?

Answer 8

They should avoid spreading bacteria that cause caries, the parent should not put anything into the baby’s mouth that has been in his or her own mouth, including spoons, cups, etc.

Question 9

What should be done as soon as a baby gets his/her first tooth?

Answer 9

As soon as the first tooth appears, the parent can begin brushing the baby’s teeth in the morning and before bed

A pea-sized dab of toothpaste can be used.

Question 10

What are dental sealants used for?

Answer 10

Used as a means of protecting difficult-to-clean occlusal surfaces of the teeth from decay.

Question 11

What is a dental sealant?

Answer 11

A plastic-like coating that is applied over the occlusal pits and grooves where decay-causing bacteria can live.

Question 12

What dentition are sealants generally placed?

Answer 12

Sealants are generally placed on the permanent dentition, but sealants can be placed on primary teeth if a child’s teeth are susceptible to decay.

Question 13

Can sealants be placed on anterior teeth?

Answer 13

Yes, on the lingual pits (cingulum) of anterior teeth.

Question 14

What are some age related dental changes?

Answer 14

-Enamel becomes darker in color
-Enamel surface develops numerous cracks
-Vitality of dentin is greatly decreased
-Cementum has compositional changes
-Pulpal blood supply decreases
-The size of the pulp chamber is reduced
-Abrasion and attrition occur in the crowns of the teeth.

Question 15

What is fluoride used for? What does it do?

Answer 15

Fluoride is used to combat dental caries. It slows demineralization and enhances remineralization of tooth surfaces.

Question 16

What is fluoride?

Answer 16

It is a mineral that occurs naturally in food and water.

Question 17

What are 2 types of fluoride?

Answer 17

There is systemic and topical fluoride.

Question 18

Ways of receiving fluoride

Answer 18

-Prescription-strength
Fluorides are applied in the dental office

-Non-prescription-strength
Fluorides are sold over the counter for at-home use

Fluoridated water
is available bottled or through the community

Question 19

What is systemic fluoride?

Answer 19

Systemic fluoride is ingested from food, beverages, or supplements, bottled water, meat. vegetables, cereals, citrus fruits, tea, and fish.

The required amount of fluoride is absorbed through the intestine into the bloodstream and transported to the tissue that needs it.

Excess systemic fluoride is excreted by the body through the skin, kidneys, and feces.

Question 20

What is topical fluoride?

Answer 20

Topical fluoride is applied directly to the teeth through the use of fluoridated toothpastes and mouth rinses and topical applications of rinses, gels, foams, and varnishes.

Question 21

Preeruptive development

Answer 21

-Before a tooth erupts, a fluid-filled sac surrounds it
-Systemic fluoride present in this fluid strengthens the enamel of the developing tooth and makes it more resistant to acid.

Question 22

Posteruptive development

Answer 22

-After the eruption, fluoride continues to enter the enamel and alters the structure of the enamel crystals
-These fluoride-enriched crystals are less acid soluble than the original structure of the enamel.

Question 23

Safe and Toxic levels of fluoride

Answer 23

Chronic overexposure to fluoride, even at low concentrations, can result in dental fluorosis in children younger than 6 years with developing teeth

-Acute overdosage of fluoride can result in poisoning or even death although that is very rare.

Question 24

What is fluorosis?

Answer 24

Mottled enamel caused by excessive chronic fluoride intake.

Question 25

What is mottled enamel?

Answer 25

Discoloration of enamel, mostly white in color.

Question 26

Whats a lethal dose of fluoride for adults?

Answer 26

Varies from 2.5 to 10 grams in adults.

Question 27

Whats a lethal dose of fluoride for infants?

Answer 27

0.25 grams in infants.

Question 28

What should you do if you suspect a patient has fluoride overdose?

Answer 28

-Instruct the patient to drink milk.
-Milk will soothe irritated mucous membranes.\
-Patient should seek medical attention immediately.

Question 29

What are the steps to the fluoride needs assessment?

Answer 29

1. Saves time by identifying risk factors
2. Opens communication between the dental professional and patient
3. Helps “individualize” patient fluoride therapies
4. Allows the dentist to more accurately select the appropriate fluoride therapy