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Dental Do's and Don'ts Quiz

True or False
  • 1. You should change your toothbrush 2-3 times a year.

    False is the right answer.

    A toothbrush should not be used longer than a maximum of three months.
  • 2. Aggressive firm brushing can do more harm than good.

    True is the right answer.

    Brushing should be gentle with the bristles of the brush held at 45 degree angle to the teeth.
  • 3. Eating a lot of sweets causes tooth decay.

    False is the right answer.

    Sugar doesn't cause cavities – how long the sugar remains in your mouth is the issue. With time bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and excrete acid that eats away at tooth enamel leading to cavities. If you're on the go, chewing a piece of sugarless gum will help clear your mouth of harmful sugars and buffer the acid by stimulating saliva production.
  • 4. Sucking on lemons can destroy tooth enamel.

    True is the right answer.

    The acid eats through the enamel.
  • 5. The leading cause of tooth loss is cavities.

    False is the right answer.

    The leading reason for tooth loss is gum (periodontal) disease.
  • 6. Chewing on ice cubes is not harmful to your teeth.

    False is the right answer.

    Teeth expand and contract in the presence of hot and cold liquids, as does the material used to fill cavities (particularly silver-fillings or amalgams) so chewing on ice can cause teeth to crack or fracture. In addition, the force needed to crush ice contributes to cracks and fractures as well.

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