Brushing Up On Some Dental Basics

THE WORD “CAVITY” gets tossed around a lot. Do you know exactly what a cavity is, and what causes them? Here’s a very short refresher course. Cavities are hollows left in your teeth when decay happens. Decay, or “dental caries” is actually an oral disease—a bacterial infection in your mouth. When this bacterial infection builds up on your teeth, it forms plaque. Having this bacteria doesn’t necessarily mean you have tooth decay. But when the bacteria interacts with sugars and starches, enamel-eating acid is created. So your first defense against tooth decay is your diet. Try to limit sugars and starches, foods that stick in your teeth, excessive acidic foods, and soft drinks.

Your second defense against tooth decay is keeping your teeth clean! Brush your teeth twice a day and be sure to floss so there’s less chance of creating acids that can wear down tooth enamel. Brushing also counteracts the plaque and tartar that’s building up over time. And remember that even with your own consistent care at home, regular professional checkups and cleanings are vital for sound oral health.

Some “Fun” Answers:

Some “More Technical” Answers:

Now, Put YOUR Knowledge To The Test With This Short Quiz!

Now that you’re an expert on dental health basics, how do you think you’d stack up on a little quiz? Surprisingly the average grade on this quiz is a “D”! But we’re sure that our patients will do better than that!

How Did You Do On The Quiz? Let Us Know!

After you take the quiz, leave us a comment below, or visit our Facebook page and comment or message us!

As always, if you have any questions about your oral health or any dental-related subject, ask us! We’re here to keep you healthy and informed.

Thanks, as always, for being our valued friends and patients!