Everybody knows basic oral health care: brush twice a day and floss regularly. Beyond these simple facts, many people may not know the truth about other important dental care tips. You only get one set of teeth, so it’s important to take good care of them.
Take the following short quiz to see if you know how to keep your teeth healthy and strong:
True or False: Brush your teeth for four to five minutes intervals.
False. The standard recommendation is to brush for about two minutes, about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday.” Any longer, and you could damage your gums.
True or False: Flossing before you brush provides the best results.
True. When you floss first, you break up debris and remove food particles, which your brush can then easily remove from your mouth.
True or False: Soda is harder on your teeth than fruit juice.
True. While soda does more harm than fruit juice or milk, sports drinks cause the most damage, weakening tooth enamel faster than the other options. Your best bet for healthy teeth is good old fashioned plain water.
True or False: Gum disease starts in your forties.
False. Research indicates that people in their 20s start to show signs of gum disease, especially if they have still have their wisdom teeth.
True or False: A medium or hard toothbrush gets teeth cleaner.
False. Most dentists suggest soft-bristled brushes for their patients. Medium or hard-bristled brushes can irritate gums and wear away the dentin layer on your teeth.
