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The effect of saliva on dental caries

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1. What buffering agents in saliva cause the pH of plaque to move from acidic to normal (resting level) within a few minutes after eating a fermentable carbohydrate?

	A. Acid and alkaline
	B. Carbonate and phosphate
	C. Calcium and magnesium
	D. Fluorides and carbides

2. Demineralization is initiated when the pH of plaque decreases below what value?

	A. 2.5-3.0
	B. 4.0-5.0
	C. 5.5-6.0
	D. 7.0-9.0

3. What prevents the development of a test capable of determining the cariogenic potential of foods?

	A. Composition
	B. Oral retention
	C. Mineral content
	D. All of the above

4. Increasing the rate of salivary flow increases the concentration of what compounds?

	A. Magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and protein
	B. Carbonate, phosphate and magnesium
	C. Protein, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate
	D. None of the above

5. In the Makinen (Belize) study, what was the decrease in dental caries rate that was reported for the Sorbitol-containing chewing gum segment?

	A. 20.8 percent
	B. 43 percent
	C. 71 percent
	D. 11 percent

6. Which of the following is a function of saliva?

	A. Lubricating the oral tissues
	B. Antibacterial activity against foreign microorganisms
	C. Facilitation of the Digestion of Carbohydrates
	D. Maintaining an environment rich in phosphates
	E. All of the above

7. True or False: The caries-preventive effect of sugar-free chewing gum is due to the sorbitol content of the gum.

	A. True
	B. False

8. True or false: In the Budapest study there was a significant difference in the caries rate between the Sorbitol and Xylitol groups.

	A. True
	B. False

9. In the Chinese clinical trial, what was the reduction in the rate of caries for the group receiving a health education program and sugar –free gum?

	A. 24 percent
	B. 42 percent
	C. There was no difference
	D. 11 Percent

10. Significant reduction in the formation of dental caries due to chewing sugar-free gum after meals has been tributed to what factor?

	A. Sorbitol in the chewing gum
	B. Xylitol in the chewing gum
	C. Gum’s interproximal cleaning abilities
	D. Increased saliva flow due to the chewing process

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