Oral pathology: dental caries: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral pathology: dental caries

Sample item

Which bacterial feature most directly contributes to enamel caries after frequent sucrose exposure?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acid production lowering plaque pH

Cariogenic bacteria metabolize fermentable carbohydrate to acids, lowering plaque pH and promoting enamel demineralization. Frequency of sugar exposure is important because it repeatedly prolongs low-pH periods.

Option by option

  • A. Acid production lowering plaque pH (correct)

    Correct. Acid-driven demineralization is central to caries formation.

  • B. Increased salivary buffering

    Salivary buffering protects against, rather than promotes, caries.

  • C. Reduced bacterial adherence

    Reduced adherence would lower, not raise, plaque cariogenicity.

  • D. Formation of tertiary dentin only

    Tertiary dentin is a pulpal defensive response after injury.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dentistry questions

Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Acid production lowering plaque pH. Cariogenic bacteria metabolize fermentable carbohydrate to acids, lowering plaque pH and promoting enamel demineralization.

Why is "Increased salivary buffering" not the answer?

Salivary buffering protects against, rather than promotes, caries.

Why is "Reduced bacterial adherence" not the answer?

Reduced adherence would lower, not raise, plaque cariogenicity.

Why is "Formation of tertiary dentin only" not the answer?

Tertiary dentin is a pulpal defensive response after injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: dental caries in Dentistry. Frequency of sugar exposure is important because it repeatedly prolongs low-pH periods.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral pathology: dental caries?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.