DENTAL CARIES

 Dental Caries-
Microbial disease of the
calcified tissues of the
teeth(enamel,dentin
and cementum).
Streptococcus mutans
 primary infectious agent
 gram + cocci
 nonmotile
 Facultative anaerobe
 mesophile(18-40
degrees C)
 acidogenic
 acidophilic
 reproduces by binary
fission
Development
Epidemiology
 It is one of the two most common oral disease.(the other is
periodontal disease)
 WHO oral report 2003-affects 60-90%of schoolchildren&the vast
majority of adults in industrialized countries.
 Most prevalent oral disease in several asian&latin american
countries.
 High risk groups:xerostomia,GERD/heartburn,cancer treatment
e.g.radiation
 Transmission is from parent to child-vertical transmission and via
saliva.
 Reservoirs-interproximal spaces,pits and fissures,leaky
restorations and crowns,cervical areas,root surfaces and in the
tongue.
Signs and symptoms
A chalky white spot on the tooth
surface(incipient caries).
 A brown&shiny lesion-arrested caries
 Visible holes&pits in the tooth
 Tooth sensitivity or
pain(eating,drinking,sweet,hot,cold)
 Tooth discoloration(darkening)may indicate
pulpal necrosis.
 Pus around the tooth(infection)
Treatments
 Restorations-tooth filling(composite
resin,amalgam,inlay,onlay
 Endodontic treatment-root canal
therapy,pulpotomy(for pedodontic patients)
 Prosthodontic treatment-shell crowns,plastic
crowns,veneers,laminates,porcelain crowns
 Extraction-for extensive caries,root
fragments,excessive mobility
Prevention
 Diet-minimize sugar intake,frequent snacking, chewy & sticky
foods.
 Fluoridization-topical fluoride(23%APF)application on children’s
permanent teeth,toothpastes,mouthwash,vitamin
supplements,fluoride tablets
 Pit&Fissure sealant-thin plastic-like coating painted over the
grooves.
 Fluoridation-treating public water w/fluoride(1ppm)
 Proper oral hygiene-effective brushing
techniques,flossing,interdental cleaner,water pik,tongue
scraping,regular dental exam and oral prophylaxis.
Quiz
1.What is Dental caries?
a.a congenital disease.
b.a viral infection of the oral cavity.
c.a hereditary illness.
d.process of tooth destruction resulting from the interactions between
teeth,food,and bacteria.
2.Which of the ff.can tooth decay lead to?
a.destruction of teeth
b.difficulty in chewing
c.speech problems
d.all of the above
3.Where is S.mutans most concentrated at?
a.flat,smooth parts of the teeth
b.on the oral mucosa
c.throughout the body
d.in the crevices,pits&fissures of the teeth
4.What types of food substances interact with S.mutans?
a.foods containing protein
b.foods containing carbohydrates
c.foods containing fats
d.only foods containing sucrose
5.Which tooth structure is the hardest&the most resistant to caries?
a.enamel
b.dentin
c.cementum
d.pulp