* Link between oral and overall health
* Take the oral health quiz
* Watch the PBS program “Dental Health”
Take the oral health quiz
1. To get the full oral health benefits, you should brush your teeth after each meal, or at least twice a day for:
a. 1 minute
b. 2 minutes
c. 5 minutes
d. 10 minutes
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is B: 2 minutes.
Explanation:
The answer is B, 2 minutes. One minute is not enough to remove plaque and tartar, and any more than 2 risks damage to gums and enamel. And don't forget to floss once a day!
2. The number of Americans without dental health insurance is:
a. 50 million
b. 80 million
c. 120 million
d. 200 million
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is C: 120 million.
Explanation:
The answer is C, 120 million people. Although many Americans get health insurance through their employers, these plans don't always include dental care. Also, Medicaid and Medicare don't always cover dental treatment.
3. Periodontitis, or infection of the tissues surrounding teeth, is related to which of the following conditions:
a.
heart disease and stroke
b.
diabetes
c.
osteopenia (loss of bone mass)
d.
All of the above
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is D: All of the above
Explanation:
The answer is D, all of the above. Whether a cause or effect, periodontitis is associated with these and many other serious health conditions. It's important to visit your dentist to make sure you don't suffer from gum disease, and to learn ways you can prevent and treat it.
4. True or False: The U.S. produces enough dentists to keep up with our growing population.
True
False
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is B: False
Explanation:
The answer is B, false. Many factors affect the current lack of dentists and dental hygienists in America: the closing of many dental schools over the past few decades; rural populations who live far from urban health centers and are hard to reach; a need for minority dental professionals in inner-city clinics; and the financial difficulty of starting a new practice in today's business environment. Certain deeply rural sections of our home state of Maine, some Native American communities and many inner-city neighborhoods have no dentists at all. To learn more about this crisis, check out The Surgeon General's Report on Dental Care, 2000
5. What percentage of American adults has not visited a dentist in the last year?
a. 15 percent
b. 28 percent
c. 33 percent
d. 40 percent
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is C: 33 percent.
Explanation:
The answer is C, 33.33 percent. This may be due to various constraints, such as a lack of dental insurance, distance from the dental care providers and fear of dentistry itself. If you haven't seen your dentist and you have dental insurance, one of the best things you can do for your health is to make an appointment today. If you fear you don't have enough money to pay for dental services, go to our locator to find a public dental clinic accepts patients on sliding fee scales. No one should have to suffer from lack of dental care!
6. Baby teeth are important because they:
a.
Help guide permanent teeth into place
b.
Allow babies to start eating solid food
c.
Help the face and jaw develop
d.
All of the above
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is D: All of the above.
Explanation:
The answer is D, All of the above. It's never too early to get your child started with good oral care habits. Even though baby teeth are temporary, they play an important role in the development of your child's mouth, eating habits, and future health. Children who develop childhood periodontal disease may experience problems with their permanent teeth (if they even come in!) and suffer from lifelong health issues as a result.
7. You may give your partner gum disease through which of the following:
a.
Sharing a glass of water
b.
Kissing
c.
Sharing a bathroom
d.
None of the above
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is B: Kissing.
Explanation:
The answer is B, kissing. Studies suggest that the bacteria associated with gum disease can be passed from mouth to mouth, as in kissing. That doesn't mean you should stop expressing affection toward the one you love! It does mean that if you have gum disease, there's a greater chance your partner will get it too. And he or she may not even know it, because in its early stages, gum disease is often painless. So keep on kissing. But to make sure gum disease doesn't come between you, see your dentist for regular check-ups.
8. The hardest material in the human body is dental enamel.
a.
True
b.
False
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is A: True.
Explanation:
The answer is A, true. The enamel layer in human teeth is about 0.06 inches thick and protects the inner layers of the teeth from things like bacteria. Under the enamel is dentin, which is similar to
but stronger
than human bone. Dentin surrounds and protects the core of the tooth, which contains blood vessels and nerves. Because enamel is so hard, it helps teeth last far longer than any other part of the human body, including the bones.
9. True or False: You can't turn the clock back on gum disease. Once it starts, it can only get worse.
True
False
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is B: False.
Explanation:
The answer is B, false. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, the first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is reversible. That's good news for the millions of Americans with gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. Signs that you may have it: your gums become reed, swollen, tender or bleed easily, especially when you brush or floss, or you have persistent bad breath. Only the combination of professional dental care and regular brushing and flossing can reverse gingivitis—and keep it away. Otherwise, you could be at greater risk for periodontitis, a more serious form of gum disease that may not be reversible, and can result in tooth loss. To help avoid such problems, the ADA recommends that all adults be screened for gum disease. See your dental professional for more details.
10. Not everyone believes in the Tooth Fairy. Choose which of the following worldwide customs is true.
a.
"I ask a squirrel to take my old tooth and bring me a new one. Then I throw my tooth on the roof of my house"
b.
"My mother has my tooth plated with gold so I may wear it as an earring."
c.
"I bury my tooth in the fields where it grows up to be a warrior."
d.
All of the above.
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is D: All of the above.
Explanation:
The answer is D, All of the above. In Sri Lanka, squirrels retrieve old teeth that are thrown onto roofs and then deliver new ones. In Costa Rica, children wear their gold-plated teeth as jewelry, and in Tajikistan, children's teeth grow into warriors! So much for the Tooth Fairy!
11. How often should you change your toothbrush?
a.
When your dog licks it.
b.
Every six weeks.
c.
When it shows signs of wear.
d.
All of the above.
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is D: All of the above.
Explanation:
The answer is D, All of the above. An old toothbrush (or toothbrush head for an electric one) can harbor harmful bacteria, and when it begins to wear out, it doesn't do an effective job of cleaning your mouth either. In fact, you should even change your toothbrush before and after recovery from an illness to prevent reinfection.
12. After the common cold, which condition is considered the most widespread infectious disease in the U.S.?
a.
Flu
b.
AIDS
c.
Pneumonia
d.
Dental disease
Correct!
We're sorry, the correct answer is D: dental disease
Explanation:
The answer is D, dental disease. Just because it's not as scary-sounding as flu, pneumonia and AIDS doesn't mean that dental disease isn't dangerous. Imagine having an infection in your finger. It would cause pain and threaten circulatory, cardiovascular and other biological systems. You'd treat this problem right away, wouldn't you? Dental problems are no different. Far from being separate from the rest of the body, your mouth is a good indicator of your overall, or systemic, health. Obviously, lack of proper care may lead to gingivitis (early-stage gum disease), periodontitis (infection of the tissues surrounding teeth), and eventual loss of teeth in adults and children. But dental problems may be implicated in other serious health issues, as well.
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