Module 5.2 - Oral Care

What are dentifices?

Dentifrices are pastes, gels, powders, or liquids used with a toothbrush to clean, polish, and protect teeth. 

What is the outer layer of our teeth called?

ENAMEL

Enamel is hard cuz it contains a lot of … (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2)

Hydroxyapatite !

Hydroxyapatite is a lot of what 2 elements?

a lot of calcium and phosphate!

Enamel is strong but can be damaged by ________.

Enamel is strong but can be damaged by acids.

How do acids form and damage our teeth?

Bacteria convert sugar from food —> plaque (a sticky film that adheres to teeth)

Other bacteria then produce acids that erode enamel by removing calcium, phosphates, hydroxides

Eroding enamel by acids removing calcium, phosphates, hydroxides =

= DEMINERALIZATION

Plaque is a colorless and adhesive film of …..

Hint: a macromolecule

Plaque is a colorless and adhesive film of polysaccharide.

If Plaque is a colorless and adhesive film of polysaccharide, then why does it look yellow?

because it packs together billions of colorful bacteria, traps food and drink stains, and mixes with minerals from your saliva to become visible!

Demineralization often leads to dental ________ (tooth decay or cavities)

dental caries!

To remove plaque, you need an …

an abrasive!

Licking your teeth is good because SALIVA naturally restores lost calcium (Ca2+) and Phosphate (PO43-) thru ….

Licking your teeth is good because SALIVA naturally restores lost calcium (Ca2+) and Phosphate (PO43-) thru REMINERALIZATION.

What other compound helps prevent tooth decay?

FLUORIDE

What 2 ways does fluoride help?

1. hydroxyapatite Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 —> F- replaces hydroxy groups (OH-) —> Converts to fluoroapatite Ca10(PO4)6F2

2. F- helps supress bacteria’s ability to generate acids

Why is fluoroapatite better than hydroxyapatite?

cuz it’s a harder mineral! more protective

Fun fact: Drinking water in Canada has added fluoride to prevent tooth decay, in a conc of _____ ppm.

in a conc of 0.7 ppm.

0.7 ppm is the perfect conc cuz too much fluoride is also bad. Leads to …

fluorosis!

T/F: Fluorosis is a disease

false! it’s a cosmetic issue rather than a disease (doesn’t hurt tooth function)

Ingredients in toothpaste

…

What ingredient helps remove debris from mouth and gives you the CLEANNNN feeling?

surfactants!

In Canada and the EU, what is the highest concentration of hydrogen peroxide H2O2 (whitener) allowed?

0.1%

For children up to 6 yrs old, how much toothpaste is recommended?

a pea sized amt!

Ingredients in mouthwash:

…

Dental floss vs dental tape shape

dental floss is round

dental tape is flat and wide

What is dental floss made of?

nylon, teflon, polyethylene fibers, coated with wax and mint flavor

Does it matter whether you floss before or after brushing?

nope!