How well do you know your teeth? Test your dental IQ with the quiz below.
Questions
1. Children have:
a. 20 teeth
b. 16 teeth
c. 24 teeth
2. Adults have:
a. 28 teeth
b. 32 teeth
c. 25 teeth
3. You should brush your teeth:
a. after every meal
b. twice a day
c. once a day
4. You should floss your teeth:
a. after every meal
b. twice a day
c. once a day
5. What causes tooth decay?
a. sugar
b. acid
c. caffeine
6. Plaque can be removed by:
a. using a water flosser
b. rinsing with mouthwash
c. brushing and flossing
7. Tooth loss can be caused by:
a. old age
b. gum disease
c. fungal infections
8. Children should first see a dentist when they are:
a. 1 year old
b. 3 years old
c. 5 years old
9. The main cause of bad breath is:
a. gases produced by oral bacteria
b. smelly foods
c. stomach gases
10. Toothbrushes should be replaced:
a. every month
b. every 3-4 months
c. every 6 months
Answers
1. All 20 baby teeth should have erupted by the time a child is 3 years old.
2. This is a trick question because most adults have their 4 wisdom teeth removed, leaving 28 teeth in the mouth.
3. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends brushing teeth at least twice a day.
4. The ADA recommends flossing teeth at least once a day.
5. This is another trick question because sugar does play a role in plaque acid production.
6. Liquids cannot remove the sticky film of plaque bacteria from teeth, only a toothbrush and floss can.
7. Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss. You can still keep all of your natural teeth as you age if you care for them properly.
8. Children should see the dentist soon after their baby teeth begin erupting.
9. Gases produced by oral bacteria.
10. Toothbrushes can become ineffective at cleaning after this time period because they fray and collect bacteria.