At our dental practice in Madison, New Jersey, the Adams Dental team understands just how vital your oral health is to a healthy, beautiful smile. It starts at home with regular daily oral hygiene.
Along with regular dental cleanings, brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day will help you maintain your pearly whites. But what happens if you neglect your daily care? How do you end up with tooth decay? Let’s look some tooth trivia to help familiarize you with the dangers of decay on your smile.
Test your oral health knowledge!
Which one of these definitions is UNTRUE when it comes to the inner workings of your teeth?
A. Tooth enamel: the hard outer layer protecting the dentin.
B. Dentin: the tough middle layer of the tooth protecting the tooth pulp.
C. Tooth pulp: the middle of the tooth made of connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.
D. Jawbone: the layer of the tooth that connects it to your skull.
Which of these does NOT cause tooth decay?
A. Enzymes in your saliva erode your tooth unless you drink lots of water.
B. Bad bacteria can damage your teeth if left unchecked.
C. Oral bacteria create acid which erodes your teeth.
D. A tooth is susceptible to decay if there is a hole in the tooth.
Which of these will NOT happen if a tooth with decay is left untreated?
A. You may experience a heart attack and possibly a stroke.
B. Your tooth may experience pain, known as a toothache.
C. Your tooth may become infected and your gums swollen.
D. Your tooth may loosen and fall out with advanced gum disease.
Which one of these statements is TRUE when it comes to encouraging tooth decay?
A. Having fluoride treatments when you see your dentist for regular professional cleanings.
B. Not eating enough sugar in your diet to feed the healthy bacteria in your mouth.
C. Avoiding flossing until you see your dentist every six months.
D. Having too much saliva production causing a condition called moist mouth.
Which of the following is NOT a sign of tooth decay?
A. Having a yucky taste in your mouth, or chronic bad breath.
B. Deep blue or even purple spots on your teeth.
C. Tooth sensitivity or toothache pain.
D. Swollen gum tissue next to a tooth which is hurting.
Our team is happy to help our patients with all of their oral care needs. We look forward to working with you to help you create the smile you deserve. Combining strong oral hygiene habits with bi-annual dental cleanings, you are well on your way to ensuring that you smile health will prevail. We invite you to call (973) 377-6500 to schedule your next checkup with our experienced team!
Answers: D, A, A, C, B.
