Introduction to Oral Diseases: Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the etiology, stages, and risk factors of dental caries and periodontal disease based on Wilkins Chapter 19.

Dental Caries

An infectious and communicable disease characterized by tooth decay, currently managed by strategies that emphasize prevention and early detection rather than traditional drilling and filling.

Oral Biofilm

A colorless, soft, sticky coating—also known as plaque, dental plaque biofilm, and microbial biofilm—that adheres to teeth and concentrates millions of microorganisms, resisting removal by water rinsing, sprays, or tongue movements.

Mutans Streptococci (MS)

A primary group of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) found in large numbers in dental plaque that are responsible for dental caries and are frequently transmitted from mother to infant via saliva.

Lactobacilli (LB)

A group of bacteria found in dental plaque that contribute to dental caries and whose presence in high numbers in the oral cavity indicates a high sugar intake.

The Caries Process Triad

The three essential factors that must be present concurrently for dental caries to develop: a susceptible tooth, a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates, and specific cariogenic bacteria.

Acid Erosion

The chemical breakdown and loss of tooth structure resulting from the constant intake of acidic foods or beverages (such as soft drinks, diet sodas, or lemon cough drops) independent of bacterial acid production.

Demineralization

The process by which calcium and phosphate dissolve and are lost from the hydroxyapatite crystals of tooth enamel as a result of acids in plaque and saliva.

Remineralization

The restorative process in which fluoride, phosphate, and calcium re-enter and redeposit into previously demineralized areas of tooth enamel.

Periodontium

The supporting structural tissues of the teeth, comprising the gingiva, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum.

Healthy Gingival Sulcus Depth

A periodontal probe reading of $1\text{ to }3\,\text{mm}$ around teeth characterized by pink, elastic gingiva that hugs the tooth, does not bleed, and covers the roots.

Gingivitis

A bacterial infection strictly confined to the gingiva that results in reversible destruction to the tissues of the periodontium without alveolar bone loss.

Periodontitis

A bacterial infection involving all components of the periodontium (gingiva, periodontal ligament, bone, and cementum) that results in irreversible tissue damage, clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bone loss.

Periodontal Pocket

A pathologically deepened gingival crevice measuring $4\,\text{mm}$ or greater typically, serving as a clinical feature of periodontitis and bone loss.

Suppuration

The formation and discharge of pus from a diseased periodontal pocket, indicative of active periodontitis.

Etiologic Factor

A risk category defined as the actual, primary cause of a condition or disease (such as subgingival microorganisms forming biofilms in periodontal disease).

Predisposing Factor

A condition or characteristic that renders a person susceptible to developing a specific disease.

Contributing Factor

A factor that lends assistance to, supplements, or adds to an ongoing disease or condition.

Periodontal Risk Assessment Tools

Clinical evaluation systems used to measure a patient's susceptibility to periodontal destruction, specifically the Periodontal Risk Calculator (PRC) and Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA).

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)

A cluster of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes—including hypertension (HBP), hyperglycemia, excess abdominal fat, and high cholesterol—that increases the risk for periodontal disease by $38\%$.

Drug-Induced Gingival Enlargement

Gingival overgrowth caused by specific systemic medications, notably phenytoin, cyclosporin, nifedipine, and oral contraceptives.

Non-Modifiable Periodontal Risk Factors

Inherent, non-changeable patient risk variables including genetic predisposition (accounting for $1/3$ of risk), host response, osteoporosis ($3\times$ greater risk), and age.

Local Dental Factors

Anatomical or restorative conditions that encourage biofilm retention or food impaction, including tooth irregularities, contour, position, defective contact areas, and dental appliances or prostheses.