During early tooth development, vitamin A deficiency leads to enamel hypoplasia and defective dentin formation. Because of its effect on soft tissues and bone, vitamin A contributes to normal spacing of teeth.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Both statements are true. The effect of vitamin A on the growth of soft tissues and bones naturally extends to the teeth and surrounding structures. Enamel hypoplasia, involving defective enamel matrix and incomplete calcification of enamel and dentin, can be due to vitamin A deficiency. The effect of this vitamin upon surrounding bone directly affects spacing patterns of the teeth within the bone and dentition. Choice A is correct because both statements accurately describe the influence of vitamin A on tooth development. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the accuracy of the statements provided.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency, not vitamin C deficiency. It usually occurs in children who are 1 to 3 years old. The name rickets came from the word 'wrikken,' meaning 'to bend or twist.' Common manifestations of rickets include tachetic deformities like bow legs or knock-knees, a narrow and distorted chest, and failure of the epiphyses of bones to develop normally, resulting in twisted and warped bones. While the diagnosis of rickets may be increasing in the United States, it is not caused by a lack of vitamin C.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Both statements are true. When rickets occurs, the alveolar bone is affected similar to other bones in the body, with the trabeculae of the alveolar bone also weakening. In addition to damaged alveolar bone caused by vitamin D deficiency, dental changes include delayed dentition and small molars. The other choices are incorrect because both statements provided are accurate based on the effects of rickets on the alveolar bone.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Calcium within saliva does not increase dental caries; in fact, the buffering action provided by calcium and phosphate in saliva inhibits caries formation by preventing the dissolution of enamel by plaque biofilm. Choice A is correct as saliva is indeed supersaturated with calcium. Choice B is correct as saliva serves as a source of calcium to mineralize an immature or demineralized enamel surface. Choice C is correct as calcium and phosphate in saliva do provide a buffering action to protect teeth from acids.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Both the statement and the reason are correct and related. Milk and other dairy products are indeed preferred sources of calcium because they supply most of the available calcium. Additionally, lactose present in dairy products enhances calcium absorption, making them even more efficient sources of this essential mineral. The statement correctly identifies dairy products as preferred sources of calcium, and the reason explains how lactose contributes to better calcium absorption. The other choices are incorrect as they do not accurately assess the relationship between lactose, calcium absorption, and the preference for dairy products as sources of calcium.