Dentistry Book

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Dental CariesAka: Tooth Decay, Dental Cavities

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  1. Pathophysiology
    1. Oral bacteria present (Streptococcus mutans)
    2. Bacteria ferment dietary carbohydrates
    3. Resulting acids are cariogenic
    4. Acids demineralize tooth enamel and dentine
  2. Risk Factors
    1. Enamel defects at time of Tooth Eruption
      1. Premature infants
      2. Low birth weight infants
      3. Low socioeconomic status
    2. Increased Mutans Streptoccal colonization
      1. Increased maternal levels of Mutans Streptococcus
      2. Second hand smoke exposure
    3. Increased sugar exposure (risk increases with frequency of exposure)
      1. Sucrose and other simple sugar exposure
      2. Propped baby bottles
      3. Sugar liquid (e.g. juice) in sippy cup
      4. Less associated with lactose and cow's milk
      5. Sweetened pastries may be higher risk
      6. Diet sodas also increase risk due to low pH
    4. References
      1. Garcia-Closas (1997) Am J Clin Nutr 66(5):1257
  3. Symptoms
    1. See Pulpitis
  4. Signs
    1. Pain when patient bites on Tongue blade
    2. Appearance
      1. Initial
        1. Pit or fissure in dental enamel (may be detected by dental probe)
        2. Appears as chalky white deposit in enamel surface of tooth
      2. Next
        1. Brown or Black Tooth Discoloration
        2. Softening and tooth cavitation
  5. Imaging
    1. Dental XRays detect caries early
    2. Low-level lasers detect dental caries
  6. Management
    1. See Pulpitis for dental management
    2. Evaluate for Pulpitis complications
    3. Analgesics
      1. NSAIDs or
      2. Vicodin or similar Opioid
  7. Complications
    1. See Pulpitis
  8. Prevention
    1. See Oral Health
    2. See Oral Health in Children
    3. See Fluoride Supplementation
      1. Tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste (guidelines vary by age)
      2. Mouth rinses (e.g. ACT) for adults
  9. References
    1. Douglass (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(3):511
    2. Douglass (2004) Am Fam Physician 70(11):2113

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