Caries is the bacterial infection that causes cavities, which occurs when the oral environment is out of balance due to risk factors for the infection and an increase in cavity-causing bacteria. The CRA form is a questionnaire for Caries Risk Assessment that helps parents, patients, and dental professionals identify if a patient has a risk of experiencing decay in the future and if potential measures can be taken to reduce risk.

Delta Dental also offers an interactive risk assessment tool called MySmileKids and LifeSmile for adults. After answering a series of questions, you can print a report of oral health scores that we can review at your next dental appointment.

  • Why should I choose to be screened to determine my risk? -Screening for the bacterial infection allows the patient and the dental professional to identify if there are high numbers of cavity-causing bacteria in the oral biofilm. If high numbers are found, the dental professional can recommend antibacterial treatment options. High numbers of cavity-causing bacteria is a key indicator of future dental decay. It is possible to have a current cavity and a low screening result, as well as have no current cavities and high screening result. Bacterial screening is the best indicator of future decay and is not used to assist in diagnosing current decay. It can also act as a baseline test to see if treatment recommendation are working when patients are retested at recall appointment.
  • How do dietary habits affect my caries risk? -Dietary habits affect the balance within the oral environment. In many cases, simple dietary habit changes can be the least expensive option and extremely effective in reducing caries risk.
  • What are risk factors? -Risk factors are important as they are indicators of potential for future decay. The modification of risk factors is an important part of managing caries risk.
  • Why is “plaque build-up on my teeth” a risk factor? -Although not all dental plaque is cavity-causing, regular build-up of plaque between brushings is an indicator of excessive bacterial load and is a risk factor for decay.
  • How does drinking and snacking between meals affect my risk? -Every time we eat or drink the pH in our mouth becomes acidic. The more often we eat and drink, the more often th pH is acidic in our mouth, giving the cavity-causing bacteria an opportunity to thrive. At a pH below 5.5 our teeth begin to demineralize and cavity-causing bacteria begin to take over our biofilm.
  • What is an oral appliance and how does it affect my risk? -Oral appliances are braces, night guards, bleaching trays, ortho retainers, and partial dentures. An oral appliance reduces saliva exposure to the teeth and creates artificial areas that are hard to clean and allow bacteria to thrive.
  • What are disease indicators? – Disease indicators are the symptoms of the caries infection (they include new/progressing visible cavitations, new/progressing approximal radiographic radiolucencies, new/active white spot lesions, and decay history is a concern). If disease indicators are present, studies show it is the number one indication of risk or future decay.

* Information provided by Carifree