ADEX Nutrition and Oral Health 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which vitamin deficiency is most directly associated with scurvy and impaired wound healing in the oral cavity?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C (Correct answer)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K
Correct answer: Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency causes scurvy, characterized by impaired collagen synthesis, bleeding gums, and poor wound healing.
Question 2: A patient presents with smooth, shiny tongue and angular cheilitis. Which nutritional deficiency is most likely responsible?
- Iron deficiency (Correct answer)
- Calcium deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Zinc deficiency
Correct answer: Iron deficiency
Iron deficiency anemia commonly manifests as glossitis (smooth, pale tongue) and angular cheilitis due to impaired epithelial cell turnover.
Question 3: Which carbohydrate characteristic most significantly increases cariogenic potential?
- High molecular weight
- Low fermentability
- High frequency of consumption (Correct answer)
- Low solubility
Correct answer: High frequency of consumption
Frequent sugar consumption prolongs acid exposure time on enamel, dramatically increasing caries risk more than total sugar quantity alone.
Question 4: Which dietary monosaccharide is most readily fermented by Streptococcus mutans to produce lactic acid?
- Lactose
- Sucrose
- Glucose (Correct answer)
- Fructose
Correct answer: Glucose
Glucose is the primary substrate for glycolysis in S. mutans, producing lactic acid that demineralizes enamel.
Question 5: A dental hygienist counseling a patient on caries prevention should recommend limiting intake of which type of food between meals?
- Cheese
- Raw vegetables
- Sticky fermentable carbohydrates (Correct answer)
- Unsweetened nuts
Correct answer: Sticky fermentable carbohydrates
Sticky fermentable carbohydrates adhere to tooth surfaces and are slowly broken down, prolonging acid exposure and caries risk.
Question 6: Calcium and phosphate in the diet support remineralization of early carious lesions primarily through which mechanism?
- Stimulating saliva flow
- Buffering plaque acids
- Replenishing mineral ions lost from enamel (Correct answer)
- Inhibiting S. mutans growth
Correct answer: Replenishing mineral ions lost from enamel
Dietary calcium and phosphate provide ions that diffuse back into demineralized enamel, restoring hydroxyapatite crystal structure.
ADEX Nutrition and Oral Health 1
Which vitamin deficiency is most directly associated with scurvy and impaired wound healing in the oral cavity?