Deck 18: Nutritional Aspects of Dental Caries: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Question 1

The physical form of pretzels, a crunchy snack, makes them less cariogenic than a chewy food, such as caramels, because pretzels have a faster oral clearance time.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Answer 1

Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 2

Primary bacteria involved in initiation of dental caries are:

A) Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species.
B) Salmonella and Listeria species.
C) Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Salmonella species.
D) Listeria and Botulinum species and Escherichia coli.

Answer 2

Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species.

Question 3

Polysaccharides such as rice, potatoes, and corn (starches) are less cariogenic than monosaccharides because the physical and chemical properties of starches render complex carbohydrates less damaging to enamel.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Answer 3

Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.

Question 4

Cariogenic snacks before bedtime are advised if they are within 2 hours of a meal because salivary flow is reduced when sleeping and clearance of plaque acids is limited.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 5

Tooth surfaces have remineralization potential because the plaque biofilms in saliva provide a buffering action.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 6

Which is the least significant factor influencing development of dental caries?

A) Susceptibility of the host or tooth
B) A sufficient quantity of cariogenic microorganisms in the mouth
C) An adequate supply of saliva
D) The presence of fermentable carbohydrates

Question 7

Which food selection has the most fermentable carbohydrate?

A) Dairy desserts
B) Cookies
C) Sodas or sugar sweetened fruit drinks
D) Cakes
E) Candy

Question 8

Increasing low-fat milk intake as a saliva substitute can offer protection against caries for patients experiencing xerostomia, because physical properties of milk are comparable to saliva.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 9

Each of the following foods has cariostatic properties except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Eggs
B) Instant oatmeal
C) Cheese
D) Seafood
E) Meat

Question 10

Salivary flow is stimulated the most by foods rich in:

A) calcium.
B) vitamin D.
C) protein.
D) fiber.

Question 11

As the frequency of fermentable carbohydrate intake increases, which event occurs?

A) The pH increases.
B) The pH decreases.
C) Salivary protective buffering capacity increases.
D) Salivary immunoglobulin A increases.
E) Salivary buffering capacity remains active if the carbohydrate is a natural sugar, such as honey or molasses.

Question 12

Energy drinks cause all of the following conditions except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Nervousness
B) Bradycardia
C) Seizures
D) Dental caries
E) Cardiac arrest

Question 13

Xylitol-containing chewing gums reduce caries rates by inhibiting microbial growth. The dental hygienist should recommend antacids and cough drops as salivary substitutes because they have anticariogenic properties.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 14

Each of the following is true regarding oral exposure to fermentable carbohydrates except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Longer exposure leads increases risk of demineralization.
B) Longer exposure increases opportunity for remineralization.
C) The Stephan curve shows pH changes within plaque after rinsing with a sugar solution.
D) The critical pH at which enamel decalcification occurs is 5.5 or less.
E) Frequency of carbohydrate consumption increases caries risk.

Question 15

Participants in the Vipeholm study who ate foods high in sugar between meals had a significantly higher decay rate than participants who consumed these foods at mealtime only. This result supports the concept that parents should refrain from giving between meal snacks to children.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 16

Which of the following factors related to food form and ingestion has the least effect on cariogenicity?

A) Retentiveness
B) Physical form
C) Frequency of intake of carbohydrate
D) Quantity of fermentable carbohydrate
E) Timing and sequence of carbohydrate within a meal

Question 17

Although cheeses contain caries inhibitive casein, chewing hard cheeses increase caries potential because lactose is cariogenic.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 18

An excellent snack for dental hygienists to recommend is raisins. The pH of diet and regular soft drinks, bottled teas, and sports drink ranges from 2.5 to 3.5.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 19

The timing of an acidic food within a meal has little effect on cariogenicity. Cariogenic foods create less risk of enamel demineralization if followed by a noncariogenic or cariostatic food.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 20

Each of the following has the potential to initiate demineralization except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Casein
B) Streptococcus mutans
C) Lactobacillus
D) Plaque biofilms

Question 21

Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial to the host. Emerging research indicates consumption of probiotics may have properties that interrupt caries formation.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 22

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are formed by inserting lab-manufactured DNA into a plant, animal, or microorganism. The first genetically modified (GM) food, introduced in the mid-1990s, was the herbicide-resistant soybean.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 23

Grapefruit and other fruits containing citric acid are considered noncariogenic because of these foods can stimulate saliva production.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 24

Which of the following accurately describe aspects of genetically modified foods? (Select all that apply.)

A) The United States is the leading producer of genetically modified (GM) foods.
B) Developing countries are planting GM crops at a more rapid rate than rich countries.
C) A high percentage of fresh fruits and vegetables are GM.
D) Foods derived from GM microorganisms or GM animals may be introduced in the near future.
E) Highly processed foods contain a low percentage of GM ingredients.

Question 25

Each of the following applies to the Caries Management by Risk Assessment except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Caries Management by Risk Assessment is approved by the Vipeholm study.
B) This protocol is used to determine preventive and therapeutic goals for children and adults.
C) The first step identifies disease risk indicators as well as caries protective factors.
D) The second step creates and implements a treatment plan based on risk outcome.
E) The color-coded risk form can be used as a tool to educate the patient.

Question 26

Which of the following provide mechanisms that increase tooth resistance to demineralization and the caries process? (Select all that apply.)

A) Pit and fissure sealants
B) Xylitol
C) Probiotics
D) Citrus fruits
E) Fluoride

Question 27

Which food would be least beneficial for an individual wanting to restrict both plaque acid and fat intake?

A) American cheese
B) Seafood
C) Poultry
D) Eggs

Question 28

Nonnutritive sweeteners are not metabolized by microorganisms and do not promote dental caries. Products made with a nonnutritive sweetener can be used as frequently as 8 to 10 times per day.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 29

Which of the following accurately describe cariogenic potential of foods, habits, and digestion? (Select all that apply.)

A) Fresh fruits are highly cariogenic.
B) Fruit juice can cause dental caries in toddlers.
C) Slow oral clearance of a fermentable carbohydrate prolongs the exposure of a tooth to oral acids.
D) Sharing eating utensils with another person can transmit Streptococcus mutans.
E) An acidic saliva, measured by a high pH level, protects teeth from decay.

Question 30

Which of the following ingredients are anticariogenic? (Select all that apply.)

A) Xylitol
B) Fluoride
C) Vitamin waters
D) Chlorhexidine
E) Glycyrrhiza

Question 31

Each of the following groups represent situations presenting high caries risk except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Parents of young children
B) Periodontal patients
C) Polypharmacy
D) Orthodontic patients
E) Vegans

Question 32

Protein and fat are considered cariogenic because consumption of foods with these two nutrients following a fermentable carbohydrate may decrease pH.

A) Both the statement and the reason are correct and related.
B) Both the statement and the reason are correct but are not related.
C) The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
D) The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
E) Neither the statement nor the reason is correct.

Question 33

Each of the following is true of genetically modified (GM) foods except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Peer-reviewed studies on GM food safety have not found significant health risks.
B) Altering the genetic makeup of plants and animals has been very controversial.
C) GM foods are modified in the laboratory and marketed to speed growth, resist disease, and improve nutritional quality.
D) One main concern of GM foods is their potential to provoke allergic reactions.
E) Newly created GM foods are subject to FDA regulations.

Question 34

Malnutrition in developing countries is a consequence of each of the following except one. Which one is the exception?

A) Extreme loss of certain vitamins in staple foods
B) Increased beta-carotene in rice
C) Losses during crop processing
D) Overreliance on a single primary food source

Question 35

Each of the following except one can cause the pH of human interproximal plaque to fall to less than 5.5. Which one is the exception?

A) Bananas
B) Cereals, non-presweetened, ready to eat
C) Eggs
D) Rice, cooked
E) Crackers

Question 36

Which of the following are major factors in the dental caries process? (Select all that apply.)

A) Depth of the natural anatomic pits and fissures
B) Overlapping and crowded teeth
C) Race of ethnic group
D) Income
E) Chlorhexidine use

Question 37

Demineralization of enamel occurs when the critical pH of 5.5 is reached. In interproximal areas or in deep pits and fissures, the pH can decrease to 5 and remain at that pH for 30 minutes.

A) Both statements are true.
B) Both statements are false.
C) The first statement is true; the second is false.
D) The first statement is false; the second is true.

Question 38

Which nutrients have a significant effect on the development of prenatal salivary gland development? (Select all that apply.)

A) Vitamin A
B) Iron
C) Protein
D) B vitamins

Question 39

While assessing the quality of a patient's meal pattern and eating habits, which of the following are components the dental hygienist should include? (Select all that apply.)

A) A food diary
B) MyPlate used as a guide
C) Asking patient to highlight all fermentable carbohydrates on the food diary
D) Classify each fermentable carbohydrate as high quality or low quality
E) Suggesting cariogenic snacks that provide the longest oral clearance time