DentistryLesson 1 of 1 in the course Dental caries and prevention

Dental Caries: Causes, Progression, Prevention, and Treatment

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Tooth decay, also called dental caries, is a common disease in which acids gradually damage the hard tissues of teeth. Understanding how decay starts helps explain why diet, saliva, dental plaque, and time all matter.

Dental caries is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque. The hard tissues that can be affected are enamel, dentin, and cementum. Enamel covers the crown, dentin lies beneath it, and cementum covers the roots.

All flashcards

What is dental caries?
A disease in which acids produced by bacteria cause mineral loss and breakdown of the hard tissues of teeth.
What is dental plaque?
A sticky biofilm of bacteria and other material that adheres to tooth surfaces and can support acid production.
What is demineralization?
The loss of minerals from tooth tissue, usually when acids dissolve minerals from the surface.
What is remineralization?
The return of minerals to tooth surfaces, helped by saliva and fluoride, which can strengthen weakened areas.
What four conditions contribute to caries formation?
A susceptible tooth surface, caries-causing bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates, and enough time for repeated acid attacks.

Quiz questions

  1. What is the primary cause of dental caries?Answer: Acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque damage the hard tissues of teeth.
  2. Which three hard tissues can be affected by caries?Answer: Enamel, dentin, and cementum.
  3. What do plaque bacteria commonly produce when they ferment sugars?Answer: Acids, including lactic acid.
  4. When is tooth decay most likely to progress?Answer: When demineralization repeatedly exceeds remineralization over time.
  5. Why may two people with similar diets have different caries risk?Answer: Their tooth shape, saliva, oral hygiene, and other risk factors may differ.

Based on the Wikipedia article Tooth decay, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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