DENTAL CARIES Is an infectious microbioloigic disease of the teeth that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified

d tissues. Dev't of Dental Caries Depends on four interrelated factors: Host Bacteria Diet Time Dental plaque - a gelatinous mass of bacteria adhering to the tooth surface. Sugar + Bacteria (in plaque) = Acid Acid + Healthy tooth = Decay Two Principal Groups of Bacteria Implicate Dental Caries 1. Mutans streptococci - S. Mutans and S. Sobrinus; initiates formation of caries 2. Lactobacilli *MS and Lactobacilii - acidogenic and aciduric bacteria *MS are strongly associated with the onset of caries *Lactobacilli are assoc with active progression of cavitated lesions The Caries Balance 1. Pathological Factors - acidogenic bacteria; reduced salivary flow; frequency of fermentable carb ingestion; demineralization 2. Protective factor - Saliva flow and component; proteins, calcium, phosphate, flouride, immunoglobulin; antibacterials in saliva and extrinsicflouride, chlorhexidine iodine; remineralization If the pathological factors outweigh the protective factors, then carries progresses.

These can lead to erosion: -bacteria -acid environment -low salivary flow -poor "quality of saliva -low flouride exposure Demineralization: -critical pH 5.5 -presence of bacteria -External acid source -Internal acid source Recovery by remineralization and Decreases bacterial level Dec frequency of sucrose intake Reminarilization -increasing pH levels -sufficient Ca and phosphate present How does flouride prevent tooth decay? Flouride combats the formation of tooth decay: a. Flouride promotes the remineralization of a tooth. b. Flouride can make a tooth more resistant to the formation of tooth decay.