Aetiology of Dental Caries - fluoride

Question 1

What has a higher fluoride concentration; plaque or saliva?

Answer 1

plaque

Question 2

What does fluoride favour the precipitation of?

Answer 2

calcium and phosphate

Question 3

What does fluoride encourage the formation of?

Answer 3

calcium hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite

Question 4

Can fluoride in plaque inhibit bacterial metabolism?

Answer 4

yes

Question 5

What is the effect of carbonates incorporations into crystal?

Answer 5

promote carious attack

Question 6

How does saliva buffer acid?

Answer 6

contains concentrated calcium and phosphate ions

Question 7

What happens bertween pH drops?

Answer 7

remineralisation slowly occurs

Question 8

When is the plaque fluid more undersaturated?

Answer 8

lower pH, increased sugar consumption

Question 9

What happens when the plaque fluid is undersaturated compared to hydroxyapatite?

Answer 9

the greater the tendency for dissolution of the enamel apatite

Question 10

What are the demineralisation factors?

Answer 10

Question 11

What are the remineralisation factors?

Answer 11