What’s Your Oral Health IQ? Quiz 1

April is Oral Health Month across Canada. It was originally initiated and continues to be supported by the Canadian Dental Association. The intent of the month is to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and how proper oral health can have a positive impact on one’s over all health and well-being. 

Oral Health Month also serves as a great reminder for individuals to take stock of their oral health and oral care routines. 

Although there are numerous blogs on this site which address oral health topics, the two April blogs are designed to help you “brush up” on your oral health knowledge in an entertaining way.

This is Quiz 1.

You can play alone and keep score or challenge another person to play against you. The greatest number of correct answers is declared the winner.

1. Which is worse for your teeth?

• A. Eating a cookie with lunch.
• B. Snacking on a cookie.

2. If you had to pick one of these for a snack. Which one is best for your teeth?

• A. Soft Bread.
• B. Raisins.
• C. Cheese.

3. Oral cancer that is caught early is treatable and curable.

• A. True
• B. False

4. How old should a child be when they first visit the dentist?

• A. 7 years old.
• B. 5 years old.
• C. 3 years old.
• D. 1 year old.

5. What is the best way to prevent gum (periodontal) disease?

• A. Remove plaque.
• B. Use fluoride toothpaste.
• C. Use mouth wash after brushing.

6. Poor dental health is linked to many serious diseases and conditions.

• A. True
• B. False

7.   Tooth loss is an inevitable part of aging.

• A. True
• B. False

8. What causes tooth decay?

• A. Acid
• B. Age
• C. Cavities
• D. Caffeine

Answers and Explanations

1. The correct answer is B – Snacking on a cookie. Here’s the skinny about sugar and teeth. What you eat and drink makes a difference. It is better to have a cookie with your meal as that is when your mouth makes more saliva. And, it is saliva which washes away more sugar and bacteria.
2. The correct answer is C – Cheese. What you eat affects your whole body, including your teeth. Caramels and chewy candies like jujubes are bad news for your teeth but so are dried fruits like raisins and soft bread. The reason being is that they all stick to your teeth and can cause decay. Of the choices given, cheese is the best snack option for your teeth because:
   – it’s low in sugar;
   – helps your mouth make saliva; and
   – can give your teeth a boost of calcium to make them stronger.
3. The correct answer is A – True. If caught early enough, many cancers are treatable and curable. And, oral cancer is one of them. Oral cancer can present in the following ways:
   – a mouth sore that doesn’t go away;
   – unexplained numbness in the face, mouth, or neck; and
   – problems chewing, speaking, or swallowing.
   If any of these indicators present themselves do see a doctor. Early detection makes oral cancer beatable.
4. The correct answer is D – 1 year old. The general recommendation is that an infant be seen by a dentist by 1 year of age or within 6 months after the first tooth comes in.
5. The correct answer is A – Remove plaque. Removing plaque can help prevent cavities but it can also help prevent gum disease. Thorough brushing and flossing teeth daily will remove plaque. Additionally, visiting the dentist on a regular basis can help by allowing for early detection of gum disease.
6. The correct answer is A – True. Some research has linked common oral problems to illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, premature birth, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Although how the oral problems are linked is unclear, researchers suggest that dental health is important for preserving overall health.
7. The correct answer is B – False. Dentists agree that tooth loss is common as we age. However, the loss of teeth is not due to a natural death. The truth is we kill them via improper oral care, poor dietary choices, disease and/or trauma.
8. The correct answer is A – Acid. The process of tooth decay begins with the sugars and starches from foods we ingest are not removed from the teeth. When bacteria that live in the mouth ingest those sugars and starches they are turned into acids. Then, the bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. It is the acids in plaque that dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth called cavities, or dental caries.