The Oral Environment 3 Flashcards
What is the volume of saliva in the mouth?
1.1 ml (range = 0.5ml-2.1ml)
What is the area in the mouth that saliva is dispersed over?
Approximately 200cm2
What is the thickness of the film of saliva that covers the mucosa?
50-100 nanometres
Is the film of saliva in the mouth in motion or static?
In motion
Where is salivary flow highest in the mouth?
In lower, lingual regions
Where is salivary flow lowest in the mouth?
In labial and buccal regions
What is meant by clearance?
Refers to the rate at which substances are removed from the mouth
What factors is clearance related to?
- Salivary film velocity
- Location in 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
What is slow clearance?
Low 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 Stephen curve
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
