Tooth Fact Tuesday

TEST YOUR DENTAL IQ

1. Aspirin placed next to a tooth ache is a good way to relieve the pain
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Placing an aspirin directly on your gum causes an ulceration of the tissue, known as an aspirin burn. Aspirin can be effective as a pain reliever when taken as directed. However, no home remedy can replace the expertise of a dentist. The best cure for a toothache is a trip to your dentist to find out what’s causing the pain. 
2. It is normal for there to be a little bleeding of your gums after flossing
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Bleeding gums are never normal. If your gums bleed when you brush, it could be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. It also could be something simple like brushing or flossing too hard. 
3. Pregnant women should pay very close attention to their dental health
• True
• False
• TRUE-  Dental health is an important part of your overall health during pregnancy because all the changing hormone levels that occur with pregnancy can actually make some dental problems, such as gingivitis worse. 
4. Dry mouth only occurs later in life
• True 
• False
• FALSE- Dry mouth can happen at any age. It's important to diagnose the cause because dry mouth can lead to serious oral health problems, including dental decay. If you feel like your mouth is constantly dry, talk to your dentist.
5. Baby (primary) teeth do not need to be brushed because they eventually fall out
• True
• False
• FALSE- It is important to care for baby teeth because they help the child chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
6. Refined sugars, such as though found in soda, are more harmful than natural sugar found in fruit juices
• True
• False
• FALSE-  Any form of sugar can be harmful to your teeth. From a dental perspective, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can damage teeth. That’s because cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that attack tooth enamel
7. A child's first dental check up should be at age 5, before they begin school
• True
• False
• FALSE- The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist.
8. Flossing twice a week is sufficient enough
• True
• False
• FALSE- It is important to clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental cleaners to remove plaque from between the teeth, areas where the toothbrush can't reach. 
9. The cavity causing bacteria can be spread from care giver to child
• True
• False
• TRUE- Bacteria can be passed to children by their caregivers so be careful not to share drinks with your young children or put anything in their mouth that has been in yours
10. Your toothbrush needs to be replaced once a year
• True
• False
• FALSE- Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria and should be replaced every 3-4 months or at the first sign of wear

Hope you did good!!

~Kim