Organic And Inorganic Components Of Saliva

Question 1

What are some inorganic components in saliva?

Answer 1

CH(A)NPS FB
Hydrogen ions
Bicarbonate ions
Potassium ions
Sodium ions
Calcium ions
Magnesium ions
Phosphate ions
Fluoride ions

Question 2

What’s the function of H+ in saliva?

Answer 2

-pH
-enzyme activity
-mineralisation of teeth
-maintaining ionic product for hydroxyapatite

Question 3

What happens to the pH conc. when the flow rate increases?

Answer 3

PH increases

Question 4

What’s the function of HCO3- in saliva?

Answer 4

-pH buffer

Question 5

What needs to increase for the HCO3- conc. in saliva to increase?

Answer 5

Metabolic rate of salivary glands

Question 6

What’s the purpose of K+ and Na+ in Saliva?

Answer 6

• ‘counter’ ions to preserve neutral pH
  K+ counter for PO3-
  Na+ counter for HCO3-

Question 7

What happens to the K+ conc. when saliva flow rate increases?

Answer 7

Stays at the same level

Question 8

What happens to the Na+ conc. when saliva flow rate increases?

Answer 8

Increases

Question 9

What’s the function of Ca2+ in saliva?

Answer 9

• remineralisation
• forms complexes with calcium-binding salivary proteins

Question 10

What’s the role of Mg2+ in saliva?

Answer 10

Unclear

Question 11

What happens to the Ca2+ conc. when saliva flow rate increases?

Answer 11

Stays at the same level

Question 12

What happens to the Mg2+ conc. when saliva flow rate increases?

Answer 12

Decreases

Question 13

What’s the function of PO3- in saliva?

Answer 13

• pH buffer
• maintenance of ionic product for hydroxyapatite

Question 14

What happens to the PO3- conc. when saliva flow rate increases?

Answer 14

Decrease

Question 15

What’s the function of fluoride ions in saliva?

Answer 15

-accumulates in porous enamel/dentine
-replaces -OH in hydroxyapatite structure
-remineralisation

Question 16

What elements make up hydroxyapatite?

Answer 16

Ca
OH
PO4

Question 17

What’s the most important inorganic component in saliva to maintain pH

Answer 17

HCO3-

Question 18

Why are Ca, F, POates important

Answer 18

Mineralise the teeth

Question 19

When does fluoride go in and replace the calcium?

Answer 19

Toothpaste, drinking water

Question 20

According to Stephans curve, what’s the critical pH level at which demineralisation can occur?

Answer 20

5.5pH

Question 21

How long does it take for saliva buffering system to restore neutral pH after it drops below the critical pH?

Answer 21

20-40mins

Question 22

True or false: increased flow rate=decreased pH

Answer 22

False = more HCO3- released which increases pH

Question 23

What does xerostomia mean?

Answer 23

Dry mouth

Question 24

What can xerostomia be caused by?

Answer 24

Radiotherapy