Plaque control Flashcards
What is the optimum amount of fluoride in water supplies?
1ppm
Fluoride is able to inhibit the metabolism of some plaque bacteria. True or false?
True
Why are antimicrobials formulated into oral healthcare products?
Because most patients are unable to maintain oral health using mechanical methods
What formulations is chlorhexidine available in?
Mouthwash
gel
varnish
Chlorhexidine is a narrow spectrum antibiotic. True or false?
False - broad spectrum
What is the use of chlorhexidine in dental care?
It reduces plaque, caries and gingivitis
What are the disadvantages of long-term use of chlorhexidine?
Can cause staining and mucosal irrititation
What is the most commonly used agent in paste?
Triclosan
What is meant by substantivity?
Once the agents are adsorbed to the mouth they are released slowly back into the oral environment and are then redistributed around the mouth
Triclosan selectively inhibits obligately anaerobic gram positive bacteria. True or false?
False - gram negative bacteria
How can the action of triclosan be enhanced?
By formulation with a co-polymer or zinc citrate
In which formulation are quaternary ammonium compounds used?
Mouthwash only
Zinc salts inhibit bacterial glycolysis. True or false?
True
Stannuous fluoride inhibits caries formation. True or false?
True
Surfactants are bactericidal. True or false?
True
Arginine salts decrease pH. True or false?
False - increase pH
How does arginine raise the pH in the mouth?
It is metabolised to ammonia containing end-products by oral bacteria. This raises pH in the mouth, keeping it above caries levels
Quaternary ammonium compounds are broad spectrum. True or false?
True
How do quaternary ammonium compounds work?
They bind to bacterial cell membranes and disrupt integrity. This inhibits glucan synthesis and co-aggregation
