MDA
Chapters:
13: Dental Caries
14: Periodontal Disease
 What are the two groups of bacteria
 Mutans streptococci
 Lactobacilli
 What are these bacteria responsible for:
 Dental caries
 Dental caries is a disease caused by multiple factors. A
chain, if you will:
 What three factors must be present for a caries to
develop?
 Susceptible tooth
 Diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates
 Specific bateria
 What is demineralization?
 Dissolving of the calcium and phosphate from the
hydroxyapatite crystals in the enamel
 What is remineralization?
 Replacement of the minerals in a tooth
Carious lesions
 Can be slowed down by using fluoride
 Found in older patients are usually root caries
 Can be detected by
 Radiographs
 Dye indicators
 Laser caries detectors
 Visual site
 Most common chronic disease in children
Caries Assessments
 Help detect the number of MS (mutans streptococci)
and LB (Lactobacilli bacteria) present
 The higher the count the more risk one has
 Gives us the patient’s risk of caries
 Helps in prevention planning for the dental staff
Saliva
 Acts as an important part in protecting against caries
 If the saliva function is reduced, then our teeth are at a
higher risk for cavities
 The ways in which saliva helps protect
 Physical-water content is saliva
 Chemical-saliva contains calcium,phosphate/fluoride
 Antibacterial-substances within the
saliva(immunoglobulin)
Rampant Caries
 Those that develop rapidly and can have multiple
lesions throughout the mouth
 Causes
 Xerostomia
 Eating excessive amounts of sugar
 Periodontium
 Structures that surround, support and attach to the
teeth
 Periodontal disease
 Infectious process that involves inflammation
 Leading cause of tooth loss in adults
 It is treatable
Conditions linked to Periodontal
Disease
 Cardiovascular
 Greater risk in strokes and heart attacks

Oral bacteria spread to blood stream
 Preterm low birth weight
 Those with PD have 7 times higher risk
 Respiratory Disease
 Bacteria colonize in the mouth and alter respiratory system
leading to pneumonia
 Dental Plaque
 Calculus—tartar
 Can penetrate cementum on root surfaces
Conditions cont
 Supragingival

Clinical crown area, visable
 Yellow color
 Subgingival


Root surfaces
Dark green or black in color
 Must be removed by dentist or hygienist.
Types of Periodontal Disease
 Gingivitis
 Inflammation of the gingival tissue
 Easiest and most controllable
 Periodontitis tissues of the teeth
 Inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth
Dental Plaque
 Soft mass of bacterial deposits
 Covers the tooth surfaces
 Not visible at first
 Builds up and appears white and sticky
Periodontitis
 Any age
 Mostly in adults
 Inflammation of supporting structures, loss of
attachment
 Prevalence and severity increase with age
 Slight to early
 Early bone loss, attachment loss
 Moderate
 More advanced state, loss up to 4 mm (5-7 pockets)
 Severe or Advanced
 Further progression, severe destruction (7mm or greater)