Minerals for Calcified Structures

Question 1

What is mineralization?

Answer 1

Deposition of inorganic elements/minerals on an organic matrix which is made of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids

Question 2

Bone strength is adjusted in proportion to what?

Answer 2

The degree of stress on the bone

Question 3

What are calcified structures in the body made of?

Answer 3

A matrix of organic and inorganic substances

Question 4

What is present throughout the periodontium as primary connective tissue fiber in the gingiva?

Answer 4

Collagen

Question 5

The organic matrix of bone is made up of what percentage of collagen fibers?

Answer 5

90-95%

Question 6

What 5 things does collagen need to form?

Answer 6

• Protein
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Copper
• Zinc

Question 7

What percentage of dentin is organic material?

Answer 7

30%

Question 8

What percentage of cementum is organic material?

Answer 8

50%

Question 9

What percentage of the alveolar bone is organic material?

Answer 9

35%

Question 10

What are the three calcified structures of teeth?

Answer 10

Enamel, dentin, and cementum

Question 11

What part of the tooth contains the same constitutes as bone but its structure is more dense?

Answer 11

Dentin

Question 12

What part of the tooth is another bone-like substance but it is softer than bone because it contains fewer minerals?

Answer 12

Cementum

Question 13

What is the most abundant mineral in the body and where is it stored?

Answer 13

Calcium, 99% of the body’s calcium is in the skeleton and teeth

Question 14

What are the functions of calcium?

Answer 14

• Forms and maintains bone and teeth
• Aids in blood clotting
• Nerve impulses
• Muscle contraction and relaxation
• Membrane permeability
• Activate certain enzymes
• Salivary calcium acts as a buffer to inhibit caries formation

Question 15

How does calcium in saliva act as a buffer?

Answer 15

Saliva is supersaturated with calcium, making it a source of calcium to mineralize an immature or demineralize enamel surface and reduce susceptibility to caries

Question 16

Levels of calcium and what other mineral are inversely related? What does this mean?

Answer 16

• Phosphorus
• If calcium is increased, phosphorus levels decrease

Question 17

What is hypocalcemia?

Answer 17

Deficiency in calcium

Question 18

What four diseases can a deficiency in calcium cause?

Answer 18

• Rickets
• Hypocalcemia
• Osteomalacia
• Osteoporosis

Question 19

What is an excess serum level of calcium called?

Answer 19

Hypercalcemia

Question 20

What are the sources of calcium?

Answer 20

• Dairy products
• Fortified soy, fortified drinks like orange juice
• Supplements

Question 21

What is the second most abundant mineral in the body, and where is it stored?

Answer 21

Phosphorus, 85% of body’s phosphorus is in the skeleton and teeth

Question 22

What are the 5 functions of phosphorus?

Answer 22

• Formation of bones and teeth
• Muscle contraction and nerve activity
• Components of phospholipids in cell membranes, DNA, and RNA
• Energy metabolism: ADP
• Helps regulate the acid-base balance in the body

Question 23

A long term ingestion of antacids can cause a deficiency of what mineral?

Answer 23

Phosphorus

Question 24

What intestional conditions can cause a deficiency in phosphorus?

Answer 24

Celiac

Question 25

How can a deficiency in phosphorus affect the teeth?

Answer 25

- Incomplete calcification of teeth - Failure of dentin formation - Increased susceptibility to caries

Question 26

Hyperphosphatemia, an excess of phosphorus, can cause what?

Answer 26

- Hypoparathyroidism - Renal insufficiency

Question 27

What are the sources of phosphorus?

Answer 27

- Animal products - Milk products - Food additives in baked goods, cheese, processed meats, and soft drinks

Question 28

The bones contain how much of the body's magnesium?

Answer 28

2/3

Question 29

What is the third most abundant mineral in the teeth?

Answer 29

Magnesium

Question 30

What are the 6 functions of magnesium?

Answer 30

- Maintain calcium homeostasis - Prevent skeletal abnormalities - Cofactor for more than 300 enzymes - Necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis - Regulates transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction - Blood pressure regulation and preventing stroke

Question 31

Magnesium deficiency is rare but can often be seen in...

Answer 31

Chronic alcoholics

Question 32

What are the symptoms of a magnesium deficiency?

Answer 32

- Fragility of alveolar bone and gingival hypertrophy - Cardiac dysrhythmias - Neuromuscular hyperexcitability

Question 33

There is no evidence to suggest overcomsumption of magnesium from food sources, but if it occurs it can cause what?

Answer 33

Kidney failure

Question 34

What are the sources of magnesium?

Answer 34

- Dark leafy green vegetables - Whole grains and nuts - Chocolate - Bananas

Question 35

In strict nutrition, what mineral is not a nutrient essential for health because it has no metabolic function?

Answer 35

Fluoride

Question 36

What are the 6 functions of fluoride?

Answer 36

- Maintains dental and bone health - Forms fluorapatite - Systemic fluoride can change tooth structure - In saliva to interferes with demineralization - Higher concentration of fluoride inhibits bacteria that causes caries - Stimulates osteoblast proliferation and increases new mineral depositions in cancellous bone

Question 37

What can a deficiency in fluoride cause?

Answer 37

Dental caries

Question 38

What can an excess of fluoride cause?

Answer 38

- Dental fluorosis - Adverse effects on skeletal tissue and kidney disfunction

Question 39

What are the benefits of fluoridated water and how much of the US has access to it?

Answer 39

- Contributes to fluoride intake and is practical and cost effective - 73% has access

Question 40

What are the food sources of fluoride?

Answer 40

- Seafood - Brewed tea - Carbonated beverages, if water in bottling process is fluoridated