Oral Environment 3 Flashcards
Is the film of saliva in the mouth in motion or static?
in motion
What is the average volume of saliva in the mouth?
1.1ml
Where is salivary flow highest in the mouth?
in lingual, lower regions
Where is salivary flow lowest in the mouth?
labial, buccal regions
Where are cariogenic substances retained longest?
where flow is lowest (labial, buccal regions)
What does cariogenic mean?
causing tooth decay
What is meant by clearance?
Refers to the rate at which substances are removed from the mouth
What are the important oral health aspects of clearance?
- Removal of ‘harmful’ materials
- Retention of ‘beneficial’ materials
What is rapid clearance?
high salivary flow rates
How do plaque micro-organisms generate acid?
by metabolising sugars such as sucrose
What is a graph of the plaque pH change over time called?
a stephan curve
What does below 5.5 on the Stephan curve indicate?
demineralisation
What does chewing gum increase in saliva?
clearance
buffering
What is the biggest advantage in chewing gum?
increased buffering capacity decreasing caries
Is increased flow rate effective with chewing gum?
yes but not after a while as it subsides to just above normal unstimulated rate
What are examples of bulk caloric (cariogenic) sweeteners?
sucrose, fructose, glucose, lactose
What are non-caloric/high intensity sweeteners (non-cariogenic)?
- Aspartame
- Cyclamates
- Saccharin
- Sucralose
What are low caloric sweeteners?
- Mannitol
- Sorbitol
- Xylitol
At what value is xerostomia classified?
50% of normal flow rate
What is the condition in which calculous stones block salivary ducts?
sialolithiasis
What are the causes of decreased salivary flow?
side effect of drugs
radiotherapy
diseases
What is the most common cause of xerostomia?
drugs
What does radiotherapy damage?
glands, epithelia
What can be done to avoid radiotherapy damage?
stimuli salivary glands through drug before e.g. propranolol
