ADEX Nutrition and Oral Health 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which nutrient is most critical for the development and calcification of teeth during the prenatal period?
- Fluoride
- Vitamin C
- Calcium and phosphorus (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Calcium and phosphorus
Calcium and phosphorus are the primary mineral components of hydroxyapatite, essential for proper tooth calcification beginning in utero.
Question 2: Mottled enamel (dental fluorosis) results from excessive fluoride intake during which developmental phase?
- Post-eruption maturation
- Tooth eruption
- Enamel matrix formation and calcification (Correct answer)
- Root development only
Correct answer: Enamel matrix formation and calcification
Excess fluoride during amelogenesis disrupts enamel protein removal and mineralization, causing hypomineralized or pitted enamel.
Question 3: Which systemic condition related to nutrition is characterized by low salivary flow and dramatically increases caries risk?
- Hypertension
- Xerostomia associated with poor fluid intake and certain medications (Correct answer)
- Hyperlipidemia
- Type II diabetes mellitus without medication
Correct answer: Xerostomia associated with poor fluid intake and certain medications
Xerostomia reduces salivary buffering, antimicrobial proteins, and mineral ion availability, making teeth highly susceptible to caries.
Question 4: A patient on a very low carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet asks about oral health effects. Which finding is most expected?
- Increased caries risk
- Halitosis from ketone production (Correct answer)
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Enamel fluorosis
Correct answer: Halitosis from ketone production
Ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetate) are excreted through the lungs and saliva, producing a characteristic fruity or acetone-like breath odor.
Question 5: Which food group is considered protective against dental caries due to its ability to stimulate saliva and raise plaque pH?
- Soft breads
- Hard cheeses (Correct answer)
- Dried fruits
- Fruit juices
Correct answer: Hard cheeses
Hard cheeses stimulate saliva flow, provide casein phosphopeptide, and raise plaque pH due to their protein and fat content, reducing caries risk.
Question 6: Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin through sunlight exposure and is essential for calcium absorption in the gut, thereby supporting tooth and bone mineralization?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Vitamin D
Vitamin D acts as a hormone that upregulates intestinal calcium-binding proteins, increasing calcium absorption needed for mineralization.
ADEX Nutrition and Oral Health 2
Which nutrient is most critical for the development and calcification of teeth during the prenatal period?