How much do you know about children’s dental health? Do you think you could pass a quick quiz on the topic from The SuperDentists?
We put together the quiz below after attending another awesome Mommy & Me Series seminar at The SuperDentists in Eastlake. Since the presentation was being put together by my children’s dentist, I was especially interested, but I didn’t think I would be surprised. I was! And I think you will be, too.
Here are the questions, along with the answers and a quick explanation below.
The SuperDentists Quiz: How Much Do You Know?
Question 1: What are the most important ages for children and dental health checkups?
A) 6 months, 5, 10
B) 1, 4, 8
C) 6 months, 4, 7
D) 1, 4, 7
Question 2: Which is more important, flossing or brushing?
A) Flossing
B) Brushing
C) The two are equally important
Question 3: All toothbrushes and toothpaste brands work the same for everyone. True or false?
A) True
B) False
Question 4: Cavities can be passed on to your children. True or false?
A) True
B) False
Question 5: Oral health can affect your fertility, pregnancy, and your child’s future oral health. True or false?
A) True
B) False
All right, think you got most of them right? Let’s begin with Question 1.
The answer to Question 1: Option “D,” ages 1, 4, and 7. Your child should have an appointment to see a pediatric dentist before they turn one year old–ideally, when their teeth are first starting to come in. Up until then, you can use a damp cloth to clean their gums after meals. This will get them accustomed to cleaning their teeth.
4 is another big age–that is when all bad oral habits should be stopped. These include bringing a bottle to bed, thumbsucking, and pacifier use.
Finally, age 7 is when you should take your child to their first consultation at the orthodontist.
The answer to Question 2: Option “A,” flossing! Your saliva and the movement of your mouth keeps food and other gunk flowing around your teeth relatively well, but nothing does the job that flossing does–removing the trapped debris locked in between each tooth. Our kids love the scented colored floss picks!
The answer to Question 3: Option “B,” False! Dr. Nazli Keri with The SuperDentists cautions that your toothbrush and toothpaste selections should NOT be made based on what is on sale, or brightly colored, or has the best superheroes on the label. Consult your dentist before buying these items, because they may recommend a cleaner product, a toothpaste for healthy teeth as opposed to problem teeth, or they may want to alter the brush your child is using because it is not gentle or firm enough. Always ask first!
The answer to Question 4: Option “A,” True! The bacteria in our mouths is a custom cocktail of good and bad stuff. Children passing through the vaginal canal, children who are nursed, etc., all get an infusion of those bacteria–and bacteria is what causes cavities. And that brings us to Question 5!
The answer to Question 5: Option “A,” True! Your oral health can be connected to everything from the health of your heart to the health of your unborn baby. Keeping your teeth clean and visiting your dentist regularly can affect your fertility (or a man’s sperm count,) and the teeth of your child! Dr. Keri says pregnant women should be seen at their dentist during the second trimester and during the first half of the third trimester.
For more information or if you have further questions on these tips, feel free to reach out to the staff at The Super Dentists.
