LO's oral health

Question 1

Ankyloglossia (tongue tie)(common non-tooth related conditions of the oral cavity)

Answer 1

• an abnormally short or tight lingual frenulum
• can result in restricted movement of the tongue and be associated with complications such as breastfeeding, speech difficulties and mechanical difficulties (licking lips)

Question 2

Discuss tooth development & eruption

Answer 2

All of primary teeth and some permenant teeth are developed before birth. primary teeth are 20 teeth that will erupt during various stages in life and then be shed.
secondary teeth are 32 teeth that will erupt and remain permanently.
eruption refers to the emerging of the crown of the tooth from the bone and gums.
eruption can delay due to local factors such as tumour blocking eruption or systemic factors such as down syndrome and alterations in patterns of eruption. dentition patterns, missing teeth, extra teeth etc.
once tooth eruption occurs, the mineralized structures of teeth cannot repair or replace themselves, so overtime these layers can be worn away

Question 3

Identify factors that can contribute to tooth discoloration

Answer 3

extrinsic factors 
- poor oral hygiene 
- dental caries 
- dental trauma 
- dyes in food/ drink 
- tobacco, tar, betel 
- certain medications 
- fluorosis 
intrinsic factors 
- certain genetic conditions 
- hyperbilirubinaemia 
- poryphyria

Question 4

Outline the implications and care associated with dental trauma

Answer 4

• dental trauma includes tooth avulsion (torn from its socket), chipping or breaking of teeth and tooth displacement.
• re-implantation of teeth is possible but time dependent as viability of the pulp rapidly declines.
• displaced teeth also need to be attended to quickly to ensure viability. re alignment/ re positioning of the tooth is required which may be supported by braces to hold in place.
• broken or chipped teeth can be amended with a filling or bonding or with crowns, caps or veneers to replace the missing components and protect the deeper layers

Question 5

Describe dental caries (tooth decay) and relate to oral hygiene

Answer 5

• dental caries occur due to bacterial action resulting in the production of acid which demineralises teeth. this acid production by bacteria occurs when there are fermentable dietary sugars present and when there is a decrease in oxygen availability
• demineralisation is more likely to occur if there are susceptibility factors such as poor oral hygiene, minor tooth defects, decreased saliva function, inadequate fluoride
• treatment for dental caries are plaque removal, removal or decayed enamel/ dentine replaced with filling, root canal and removal of tooth
• to avoid dental caries you need to have good oral hygiene, limit dietary sugars and apply fluoride to teeth

Question 6

describe periodontal disease and relate to oral hygiene

Answer 6

• periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition affecting periodontal tissues which include gingivae, cementum, periodontal ligament and bone
• gingivitis is a mild inflammation of gingivae causing swelling, redness and likely bleeding. if left untreated it can develop into periodontitis
• periodontitis is a gum disease associated with loss of gingiva surrounding tooth, leading to infection with further destruction of periodontal tissues and tooth loss.
• periodontal disease can have a role in heart disease as-well as respiratory disease, diabetes, skeletal conditions and preterm labour and low birth weight babies
• gingivitis can be reversed by periodontist can not be reversed but management options are scaling, root planing, certain medications and surgery

Question 7

what are the stages of tooth decay

Answer 7

1. enamel lesions- demineralisation of enamel resulting in chalky white lesions
2. enamel decay- erosion of enamel resulting in yellow-brown discolouration
3. dentine decay- dentine breakdown as bacteria gain access to tooth
4. pulp involvement- decay reaches the pulp where bacterial infection can damage blood vessels and nerves
5. abscess (pus) formation- at base of root which increases likelihood of infection spread and damage to surrounding bone