DENTAL CARIES
General Considerations
Dental caries is biofilm-mediated acid demineralization of dental enamel or dentin. It is the most common chronic childhood disease and the most prevalent unmet health need of U.S. children. Caries is largely a disease of poverty; the 29 million children and adolescents in low-income families
account for 80% of patients with tooth decay.
Pathogenesis
Development of caries requires the interaction of four factors: (1) a host tooth in the oral environment,
(2) a suitable dietary substrate (fermentable carbohydrates), (3) cariogenic microorganisms that can adhere to the tooh, and (4) time, measured as the frequency of exposure to fermentable carbohydrates and the duration of the acid attack. Demineralization of the dental enamel occurs below a pH of 5.5, therefore flow and buffering capacity of saliva is an importantant modifier.
The main bacteria implicated in the initiation of caries are Streptococcus mutans and S sobrinus;Lactobacillus acidophilus and L casei are linked to progression of caries. S mutans is most commonly transmitted from mother to child. A window of infectivity between 19 and 33 months of age has been described, but colonization can occur as early as 3 months of age. Earlier colonization increases the risk of caries. The greatest impact physicians can have on this disease is through early referral of high-risk children to dental practitioners.
Dental plaque is an adherent film on the tooth surface that harbors bacteria in close proximity to the tooth enamel. As the bacteria metabolize sucrose, they produce lactic acid. The acidic environment causes the enamel of teeth to decalcify. This is the first step in production of caries. After the carious process has penetrated the enamel, it advances through the dentin towards the pulp of the tooth. In response,blood vessels in the pulp dilate and inflammatory cells begin to infiltrate (pulpitis).If the carious lesion is left untreated, a frank pulp exposure will occur, triggering invasion of more infiammatory cells and the eventual formation of a small abscess in the pulp. If the abscess can drain into the oral cavity, the apical tooth tissue may remain vital. However, if the radical pulp becomes necrotic, a periapical abscess develops (Figure 16-6). Aithough this process is not always symptomatic, it often leads to severe pain, fever, and swelling.
DENTAL CARIES General ConsiderationsDental caries is biofilm-mediated acid demineralization of dental enamel or dentin. It is the most common chronic childhood disease and the most prevalent unmet health need of U.S. children. Caries is largely a disease of poverty; the 29 million children and adolescents in low-income familiesaccount for 80% of patients with tooth decay. PathogenesisDevelopment of caries requires the interaction of four factors: (1) a host tooth in the oral environment, (2) a suitable dietary substrate (fermentable carbohydrates), (3) cariogenic microorganisms that can adhere to the tooh, and (4) time, measured as the frequency of exposure to fermentable carbohydrates and the duration of the acid attack. Demineralization of the dental enamel occurs below a pH of 5.5, therefore flow and buffering capacity of saliva is an importantant modifier. The main bacteria implicated in the initiation of caries are Streptococcus mutans and S sobrinus;Lactobacillus acidophilus and L casei are linked to progression of caries. S mutans is most commonly transmitted from mother to child. A window of infectivity between 19 and 33 months of age has been described, but colonization can occur as early as 3 months of age. Earlier colonization increases the risk of caries. The greatest impact physicians can have on this disease is through early referral of high-risk children to dental practitioners. Dental plaque is an adherent film on the tooth surface that harbors bacteria in close proximity to the tooth enamel. As the bacteria metabolize sucrose, they produce lactic acid. The acidic environment causes the enamel of teeth to decalcify. This is the first step in production of caries. After the carious process has penetrated the enamel, it advances through the dentin towards the pulp of the tooth. In response,blood vessels in the pulp dilate and inflammatory cells begin to infiltrate (pulpitis).If the carious lesion is left untreated, a frank pulp exposure will occur, triggering invasion of more infiammatory cells and the eventual formation of a small abscess in the pulp. If the abscess can drain into the oral cavity, the apical tooth tissue may remain vital. However, if the radical pulp becomes necrotic, a periapical abscess develops (Figure 16-6). Aithough this process is not always symptomatic, it often leads to severe pain, fever, and swelling.
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