How much do you know about maintaining good oral health? If you’ve been reading our blog regularly, chances are, you know quite a bit. At our Ankeny dental office we encourage our patients to learn as much as possible about the healthy habits that promote good dental health. Test your knowledge with this quiz from family dentist, Dr. Amanda Foust.
Ankeny Oral Health Quiz
- How often should you brush your teeth?
- Once a day
- Twice a day
- After every meal
- If you brush after every meal, you don’t need to floss.
- True
- False
- How often should you visit the dentist for a checkup?
- Every six months
- Every nine months
- Once a year
Answers
- b: According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should brush you teeth twice a day. Brushing after every meal could cause more harm than good, especially if the meal contained anything acidic. Acids soften the outside layer of your teeth (enamel), and right after you eat, brushing could erode soft enamel. As a general rule, rinse your mouth out with water after you eat and wait for about an hour to brush, if you want to exceed the twice a day rule. Otherwise, brush once in the morning and once at night, and you’re set.
- b: No matter how many times a day you brush, you always need to floss. Flossing is the only way to get the bacteria that is stuck between your teeth, according to the ADA. Floss at least once a day.
- a: Attending regular dental checkups is one of the most important factors in maintaining good oral health. During checkups, you will be screened for oral cancer, cavities, gum disease, and other dental health conditions. By attending checkups every six months, serious problems can be prevented or stopped before they progress to a serious stage.
Family Dentist in Ankeny
At Dental Impressions of Ankeny, we welcome your entire family with comprehensive dental care. To schedule your dental checkup, contact our 50021 dentist office at (515) 965-0230. We serve patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, and Alleman.
