Dental Caries

By Mary Kay and Emily Cooper

What is Dental Caries

• Another word for tooth decay

• Formed from the accumulation of

dental plaque

What Causes Dental Caries?

• Bacteria in the mouth

• Most importantly- Streptococcus mutans

• Break it down

How It Is Formed?

• Similar to a biofilm- build up of bacteria

• Bacteria creates lactic acid from sucrose and carbohydrates

• S. mutans attaches to the tooth (proteins coated on tooth)

• Lactic acid breaks down enamel for plaque

Where?• The mouth and

teeth• Especially crevices

and places where there is a less chance of being destroyed

Protection?

• Saliva contains lysozyme • Protects exposed surfaces• Crevicular fluid- a tissue that

flushes out gingival crevice• Contains phagocytic cells and

immunoglobulin

Prevention

• Lower sugar intake• Brush and floss your teeth• Professional cleaning• Fluoride• Chlorhexidine (most effective mouth wash)

Process Pictures

Process

•Acid and plaque gradually soften the enamel

•Decay starts•Advanced decay•Dentin decays•Decay in pulp

Bibliography• http://jb.asm.org/content/vol188/issue14/images/medium/c

overfig.gif• http://greenfield.fortunecity.com/rattler/46/images/Dentalc

a.gif• http://www.whatiscaries.com/images/caries.gif• Microbiology: an introduction• http://www.drraidentalcare.com/images/tooth-decay.jpg• http://www.fluorideandfluorosis.com/Diagnosis/

DentalCaries.jpg• http://www.dental--health.com/images/

pediatric_cavities1.jpg• http://www.setuza.cz/en/prod/pasty/img/thymolin-

microgranules.jpg