ATI Nutrition Practice A Related

Review ATI Nutrition Practice A related questions and content

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

  • A. Longer exposure leads to an increased risk of demineralization
  • B. Longer exposure increases the opportunity for remineralization
  • C. The Stephan curve illustrates pH changes within plaque after rinsing with a sugar solution
  • D. The critical pH at which enamel decalcification occurs is 5.5 or less
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: All the statements above are accurate about oral exposure to fermentable carbohydrates, except for option B. In fact, longer exposure to these carbohydrates decreases the opportunity for remineralization. This is because the process of demineralization, in which minerals are lost from the tooth enamel, is sped up by the presence of fermentable carbohydrates. The Stephan curve (option C) is a graph that demonstrates how the pH of dental plaque changes after a sugar rinse, usually dropping (becoming more acidic), which can lead to enamel decalcification. Option D is also accurate, as a pH of 5.5 or lower is the critical point at which enamel starts to decalcify.