Dental Caries Overview

What are the stages of clinical features in dental caries?

• 1. Early Carious Lesion: Spot of demineralized enamel; 2. Lesion Progressing to Deeper Enamel: Mild sensitivity; 3. Lesion in Dentine: Increased sensitivity and pain; 4. Lesion in the Pulp: Spontaneous acute pain.

• 1. Lesion in Dentine: Increased sensitivity and pain; 2. Infection beyond the Pulp: Leads to abscess and severe complications; 3. Lesion Progressing to Deeper Enamel: Mild sensitivity; 4. Early Carious Lesion: Spot of demineralized enamel.

• 1. Infection beyond the Pulp: Leads to abscess and severe complications; 2. Lesion in the Pulp: Spontaneous acute pain; 3. Lesion Progressing to Deeper Enamel: Mild sensitivity; 4. Early Carious Lesion: Spot of demineralized enamel.

• 1. Lesion in the Pulp: Spontaneous acute pain; 2. Early Carious Lesion: Spot of demineralized enamel; 3. Lesion Progressing to Deeper Enamel: Mild sensitivity; 4. Lesion in Dentine: Increased sensitivity and pain.

What are the complications of untreated dental caries?

• Pulpitis (inflammation of the tooth pulp)

• Tooth sensitivity

• Gum recession

• Increased risk of cavities in adjacent teeth

What is the role of saliva in preventing dental caries?

• Saliva helps in the digestion of food.

• Saliva provides physical protection by cleansing the teeth, chemical protection by containing calcium, phosphate, and fluoride for remineralization, and antibacterial substances that combat bacteria.

• Saliva is primarily responsible for taste sensation.

• Saliva acts as a lubricant for the throat during swallowing.

What is the significance of fluoride in dental care?

• Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduces the risk of developing new caries.

• Fluoride is primarily used to whiten teeth and improve their appearance.

• Fluoride has no significant impact on dental health and is often unnecessary.

• Fluoride is used to treat gum disease and prevent bad breath.

What are the common risk factors for dental caries?

• High sugar intake

• Regular dental check-ups

• Daily flossing

• Using mouthwash regularly

What is the pathogenesis of dental caries?

• A susceptible tooth, a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates, specific bacteria, and a time period for pathology to occur.

• Only the presence of specific bacteria is necessary for caries development.

• A diet low in carbohydrates and good oral hygiene can prevent caries.

• The use of fluoride and regular dental check-ups are sufficient to prevent caries.

What is the difference between primary and secondary caries?

• Primary caries occurs on previously healthy tooth surfaces, while secondary caries develops in the small gaps between a tooth and the margins of a restoration.

• Primary caries develops in the small gaps between a tooth and the margins of a restoration, while secondary caries occurs on previously healthy tooth surfaces.

• Primary caries is caused by poor oral hygiene, whereas secondary caries is caused by diet.

• Primary caries affects only children, while secondary caries affects adults.

What is dental caries?

• A condition where teeth become discolored due to staining.

• The development of cavitations and loss of minerals from tooth substances due to the action of acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque, commonly referred to as tooth decay.

• A type of gum disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth.

• A procedure to whiten teeth and improve their appearance.

What are the preventive measures against dental caries?

• Maintaining good oral hygiene, limiting sugary foods, using fluoride toothpaste, regular dental check-ups, and applying dental sealants.

• Consuming more sugary foods, avoiding dental check-ups, and using regular toothpaste.

• Brushing teeth once a week, eating a high-sugar diet, and skipping dental visits.

• Using mouthwash only, eating hard candies, and not flossing.

What diagnostic methods are used for dental caries?

• Visual examination, dental X-rays, and tactile examination using dental tools.

• Visual examination, dental X-rays, laser caries detectors, and tactile examination using dental tools.

• Only visual examination and dental X-rays are used.

• Tactile examination and visual examination only.