Dental Caries (tooth decay)

*Dental plaques and caries

*Diverse biofilms

*Streptococcus mutans
*Lactobacillius
*Selenomonas
*Neisseria
*Streptococcus mitis
*Propionibacterium FMA5

*plaque (biofilm) forming
*acid producing bacteria (fermentation of sugars to lactic acid)

*healthy tooth with plaque
*decay in enamel
*advanced tooth decay
*decay in dentin
*decay in pulp

*streptococcus mutans
*lactobacillus

Reservoir: humans, enviornment
Portal of Entry: mouth (acquired orally)
Mode of transmission: environment, contaminated food, person to person

*months for cavity formation

*Streptococcus mutans and other bactera establish a biofilm or plaque that supports growth of acid producing bacteria (Lactobacillius)
*production of organic acids from metabolism dissolves the tooth enamel

*appearance of plaque
*white or dark spots
*temperature sensitivity
*pressure sensitivity
*pain
*bad breath
*swelling or bleeding gums

*more pain
*broken tooth
*tooth loss
*trouble eating
*dental abscess
*life-threating infection

*limit sucrose consumption
*avoid snaks
*brush (twice a day)
*floss
*fluoride tx
*professional cleaning
*sealants

*tooth repair (remove decay and fill or cap)
*tooth extraction and replacement