introduction to caries symposium

Question 1

what is necessary for caries to develop?

Answer 1

Tooth surface

substrate

flora

time

Question 2

what flora causes caries?

Answer 2

streptococci mutans

Question 3

whats the first care management process one should do when consulting caries?

Answer 3

caries risk assessment

Question 4

what are the 7 elements of caries risk?

Answer 4

clinical evidence of caries
dietary habits
social history
fluoride use
plaque control
saliva
medical history

Question 5

what clinical evidence of caries should be taken into consideration when assessing risk?

Answer 5

DMFT > 5 high risk

orthodontics increases caries risk

prosthodontics increase caries risk

Question 6

what dietary evidence should be considered when assessing caries risk?

Answer 6

only 3 sugar intakes per day

frequency worse than the amount

high process carbs are more cariogenic than natural sugars, but natural can still cause harm.

Question 7

what role does saliva play in the hindrance of caries?

Answer 7

antibacterial

saliva flow dislodges food

buffering capacity (regulating pH)

viscosity important (more viscous is worse)

Question 8

what role does oral hygiene play in caries development?

what barriers may there be to oral hygiene?

Answer 8

poor oral hygiene increases risk

poor brushing technique and no interdental cleaning is increasing risk

young/old may need aid when brushing

access to toothbrush

orthodontics or pros make brushing harder

Question 9

how may medication influence caries development?

Answer 9

xerostomia medication increases saliva and decreases caries

drug side effects can worsen oral hygiene

sugar in drugs and medication promotes caries so should use medication with no sugar

Question 10

what is a typical high-risk child?

Answer 10

mother has poor attendance and secondary education

low social class (e.g. single parent)

poor diet sugar often

brushes once a day or less

poor health or chronic sickness

regular sugar-based medication

Question 11

what is a typical high-risk adult?

Answer 11

low-level education

attends only when there is an issue

social difficulties

sweet tooth and sugar-containing medication

secondary caries

Question 12

What would make a toddler high caries risk?

Answer 12

prolonged nursing habits

cariogenic snacking

little fluoride exposure

feeder bottle at bedtime with anything other than water

Question 13

what 8 elements make up the preventative programme?

Answer 13

radiographs

toothbrushing instruction

strength of fluoride

fluoride varnish

fluoride supplementation

diet advice

fissure sealant

sugar-free medication