Food impaction in a dental context can lead to what consequence?

• A. Bone loss
• B. Increased salivation
• C. Tooth whitening
• D. Eruption delay

Answer: (A)

When food gets trapped in areas with poor contact or faulty restorations, it creates a continual irritant and a favorable environment for bacteria. This sustained irritation promotes gingival inflammation and can progress to periodontal disease, leading to loss of the supporting bone around the tooth. So, bone loss is the consequence of food impaction.

The other options aren’t lasting dental consequences of impaction. Increased salivation is a reflexive response that can occur with irritation but isn’t a disease outcome. Tooth whitening is unrelated to impaction, and eruption delay refers to tooth development, not a consequence of trapped food.