Dental Caries

DENTAL CARIES

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Dental CariesMicrobial 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  

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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