Preventative Dentistry

1. Caries
Unit 2

2. Introduction
Dental Caries
 One of the most common diseases in humans
 Causes pain and disability
 Can lead to infection, tooth loss, and
edentulism at any age
 Dr. G.V. Black, the founder of modern dentistry,
then added that microbic plaque was the source
of the acids, which is still believed today.
 Today, dental caries is viewed as a continuum

3. Three stages
ofCaries
 Incipient lesion
 The initial stage of tooth decay that has not
penetrated the outer surface of the tooth
 The lesion looks like a white spot on the
enamel
 Loss of calcium, phosphorus, and ions of
enamel
 The progress of demineralization toward
the dentinoenamel junction, continuing to
the pulp.
 Overt or frank lesion that is characterized
by actual loss of enamel integrity

4. Appearance
 White spot lesions show enamel
appears intact, but more porous than
sound enamel
 Interproximally, the lesion can be
detected through bitewing or
periapical radiographs as a small
radiolucency

6. Dental Decay
(Caries)
Equation
Sugar + Plaque = Acid
Acid +Tooth =Decay

7. DentalCaries
 Bacteria in plaque are fed by the sugar in food
 The bacteria-rich plaque converts the sugar to acid
 After a period of time, the acid attacks the tooth and
eventually causes demineralization
 Calcium, and phosphate are lost from the enamel surface
 People who have had orthodontic appliances may
have demineralization on the tooth surfaces where
the brackets were located
 When the brackets are removed, demineralization
appears as a whitish area on the tooth
 It developed because plaque was no removed
routinely around the brackets

9. DentalCaries
 Many dentists like to term decalcification as incipient
(beginning to develop) decay
 The dentist may decide to watch this area and hope
that with special care remineralization may occur in
the patients tooth
 Remineralization occurs when the minerals are
replaced in the tooth
 Fluoride
 Other dentists may decide at this time to restore the
tooth before the condition becomes more serious
 If plaque continues to attack the tooth, it will cause
decay, or caries
 Once decay has begun, the area should be restored
by a dentist

10. Cariogenic
Foods
 Dental Assistants will need to advise patients on carbohydrates
because they are potentially cariogenic
 Cariogenic Foods break down into simple sugars in the mouth
that can be used by bacteria to cause dental caries
 Most patients will be aware that carbohydrates already broke
down into simple sugars, such as candies, soft drinks, and
sweet desserts, will cause decay
 It will be the other carbs that patients are unaware of that may
cause decay, such as raisin, crackers, fruits, and a few
vegetables
 Then dental assistant can reviews the patients diet and identify
cariogenic foods with them
 One other factor in the equation of decay, is that the more
often the teeth are exposed to cariogenic food, the greater the
probability of decay
 Drinking a soft drink slowly, sipping throughout the day

11. Cariogenic
Foods
 Suggest to patients that they choose carbs that
will not remain on the teeth for long periods
 Caution patients about medicines and moth
fresheners that have sugars in them because
they dissolve in the mouth, bathing the teeth
with sugar for a long period
 These may cause a large number of caries is
used over time

12. Baby Bottle
Tooth Decay
 Infants who have erupted teeth and are given
bottles of milk, fruit juice, or sweet substances
for long periods may develop baby bottle tooth
decay (BBTD) or nursing bottle syndrome
(NBS)
 This extensive decay of newly formed teeth is
due to the sweetened liquid frequently bathing
the teeth, often at bedtime
 Parents should be informed and advised of the
possibly of baby bottle tooth decay so they can
take preventative measures

14. Detergent
Foods
 Certain foods you can eat which help to clean your teeth
 Detergent foods should be the last piece of food you
consume during a meal for best results
 Think of them as the closest you can get to brushing your
teeth.
 Carrots
 Apples
 Celery sticks
 Popcorn
 Cucumbers
 Pears
 Lettuce
 Cheese
 As you can see, detergent foods are usually foods that are
firm and crisp.They act like scrubbers on and around your
teeth and gums