Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth?

Twice a day (Correct)

After each and every meal

When you start getting a funny taste in your mouth

Its a personal preference and varies among people

Dentist recommend that you brush twice a day. There are some thoughts that brushing more than twice a day will wear away at gums and teeth causing damage. Brushing less than twice a day is probably not sufficient to keep bacteria levels in the mouth in check.

Accidents such as football injuries, car crashes, falls.

Self-inflicted brushing trauma (Correct)

Eating hot and spicy foods

Smoking cigarettes and eating chewing tobacco

The second leading cause of gum disease is overzealous brushing. Brushing too hard (overzealous brushing) damages gum tissue and causes gums to recede.

28

36

26

32 (Correct)

Adults generally have 32 teeth

Sugar directly attacks tooth enamel

Sugar combines with salivary proteins to create a hardened layer of film over tooth surfaces.

Sugar is converted by bacteria into acid which attacks tooth surfaces (Correct)

Sugar mechanically abrades tooth surfaces

Bacteria break down sugar to get the energy they need to multiply. One by-product of this sugar break down is acid. This acids attacks tooth enamel leading to cavity formation.

The name given to bacteria which inhabit the mouth

The name given to the inflammation of the gums (Correct)

A name made up by advertising agencies to scare consumers into buying their products

Another name for having several cavities at the same time

Gingivitis is the name given to inflammation of the gums. This is caused by toxins produced by bacteria which have built up on the teeth and gums over time. The best defense against gingivitis is proper brushing and flossing to remove bacteria from the mouth.

Creation of sulfur gases by bacteria which feed on residual food particles (Correct)

Eating of foods like onions, cabbage, and garlic

The release of gases from the stomach

The chemical interaction of food with certain salivary proteins

Temporary bad breath is caused by certain foods we eat like onions and cabbage. These foods contain sulfur compounds which give breath its foul smell. Chronic (long lasting) bad breath , however, is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth which produce smelly sulfur compounds after digesting food particles left on teeth. Contrary to popular belief, bad breath is not caused by gases arising from the stomach into the mouth.

Dry mouth

Dieting

Hormone fluctuations

All of the above (Correct)

Chronic (long lasting) bad breath is usually caused by bacteria which produce foul-smelling sulfur particles from the digestion of food left on teeth. Normally saliva helps reduce bad breath by washing away food particles and diluting sulfur particles. People with dry mouths don't have as much saliva flow. Dry mouth can be caused by a number of factors including the use of certain medications. Eating stimulates saliva flow. People who diet, consequently, don't produce as much saliva which contributes to bad breath. Interestingly, hormonal changes in women can also contribute to bad breath. Women are most likely to have bad breath right before menstruation.

Brushing twice daily and rinsing with mouthwash after each brushing

Brushing after every meal and using a waterpick device daily

Brushing twice daily and flossing once a day (Correct)

Flossing every day and rinsing with mouthwash after each floss

Clearing the mouth of bacteria is the primary focus of good dental hygiene. The two primary methods of doing this are brushing and flossing. Brushing mechanically removes bacteria on exposed surfaces of teeth and gums. Flossing mechanically removes bacteria where the toothbrush can not reach. This primarily consists of the areas in between teeth.

A colorless sticky film of bacteria

A colorless sticky film of protein

A colorless sticky film of mucus

A colorless sticky film of bacteria, small particles, proteins, and mucus (Correct)

Plaque is a sticky film composed of bacteria, small particles, proteins,and mucus. This plaque continuously accumulates on the teeth and gums. Plaque is easily removed by regular brushing and flossing. If plaque is allowed to build up, however, it calcifies (hardens) into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

To remove bacteria from tooth surfaces

To remove food particles from tooth surfaces

Both A and B (Correct)

Neither A and B

We brush our teeth in order to remove bacteria from the mouth and to remove left over food particles. Bacteria use left over food particles as an energy source. Bacteria break down these food particles producing acids which attack tooth enamel. This bacterial break down of food particles also produces sulfur compounds which give breath its foul smell.

Disclaimer: The information contained within is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as delivery of medical care. Those persons with specific medical questions should consult their dentist, doctor, or other medical care provider.