Brush up on your dental health knowledge

1. Americans use an average of how much dental floss each year:

A. B. C. D.

one mile 14 inches 28 inches 16 feet

2. The percentage of adults who do not visit the dentist regularly is:

A. B. C. D.

50 percent 10 percent 23 percent 5 percent

3. The percent of adults with fillings is:

A. B. C. D.

50 percent 63 percent 78 percent 96 percent

4. The percent of those over age 65 who do not have all of their teeth is:

A. B. C. D.

40 percent 50 percent 60 percent 70 percent

5. Twenty-five percent of those who wear orthodontic braces are older than:

A. B. C. D.

25 20 15 10

True or False:

1. Wisdom teeth should be extracted by age 21.
2. Mouth dryness can lead to tooth decay.
3. If you happen to find yourself without a toothbrush and toothpaste, chewing gum can be used to cleanse your mouth after a meal.
4. Baking soda is an adequate replacement for toothpaste.
5. Parents should first begin caring for their baby's teeth when the teeth begin to grow in as an infant.
6. Musical instruments have been known to cause dental problems for children.
7. For best results, bleach your teeth for four to eight weeks.
8. You are more likely to develop cavities from chocolate than raisins.
9. Although taking vitamin C may be good for your health, it can be bad for your teeth.

Answers

Multiple choice:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

B A D A B

True or False:

1. False

Age is not a determining factor; wisdom teeth should be removed only if they're painful.

2. True

We all know that eating too much sugar and poor oral hygiene can lead to tooth decay, but it's not commonly known that the lack of saliva can also be a contributing factor. Saliva is part of the body's natural control of bacteria in the mouth because its chemicals neutralize acids that cause tooth decay. Without the normal salivary flow, you can develop dental decay and periodontal disease.

3. True

Chewing gum stimulates saliva (note above answer). Sugarless gum works better than regular gum, and gum containing xylitol can reduce tooth decay by as much as 85 percent. However, for a real cleaning, there is no substitute for brushing with fluoride toothpaste.

4. False

Although you can brush your teeth with it, baking soda does not combat tartar, which leads to tooth decay. However, it does make the acid level in the mouth less hospitable to bacteria. Baking soda also leaves the mouth with a clean, fresh feeling, which can motivate you to brush longer and more thoroughly.

5. False

Proper dental care should really begin even before the baby is born because permanent tooth buds begin forming by a baby's fourth month in utero. To ensure baby's teeth are healthy, expectant mothers should eat balanced meals, get plenty of rest and avoid tetracycline medications, which can cause an infant's baby and permanent teeth to be discolored, damaged or misshapen.

6. True

Certain musical instruments, particularly woodwind, brass and string instruments, may exert a high degree of pressure on teeth and jaws. For example, pressure is placed on the jaw while holding a violin. Problems that can develop include tooth movement and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). It is important, especially for children, to play correctly and comfortably; any complaints should be investigated by the parent, in consultation with the child's dentist.

7. False

Bleaching your teeth for prolonged periods can be harmful because it breaks down the tooth structure. While bleaching for the standard two weeks does not cause harm, bleaching for four to eight weeks can expose teeth to decay and make them more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures.

8. False

Sugary foods are actually cleared from your mouth more quickly than starchy foods. In addition, raisins are sticky and are harder to dislodge from between teeth.

9. True, if it's the chewable kind

Chewable vitamin C can make your mouth acidic enough to start dissolving tooth enamel. If you can't brush after chewing vitamin C, rinsing your mouth will help.

 

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