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Do you brush your teeth every day and floss? How many times do you brush your teeth and are you sure you are flossing correctly? In addition to preventive care from our practice, your dental hygiene is extremely important to maintaining a healthy smile free of tooth decay and gum disease. To ensure you are doing your best in the comfort of your own home, test your dental care knowledge and brush up on best practices for a glowing smile.

Home Hygiene True-Or-False Quiz

  1. You should only use a toothbrush with “hard” bristles for effective cleaning.
  2. You should brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time, making sure to clean every surface of your teeth.
  3. You do not need to brush your gums, only your teeth.
  4. You should keep your toothbrush around as long as it looks clean.
  5. When flossing, you need to simply move the floss up and down between your teeth.

Quiz Answers

  1. False. A soft brush is actually your best choice in practicing successful dental hygiene. It offers effective cleaning without damaging your enamel – or the outermost layer of your teeth.
  2. True.  We often encourage patients to use a clock or timer to ensure they are brushing their teeth for enough time to achieve effective results.
  3. False. Plaque loves to hide under your gumline, which may lead to gum disease. You should hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums, capturing debris and plaque while you sweep it away from your gumline.
  4. False. Because toothbrushes can harbor germs and bacteria, it is important to replace yours with a new one once every three months or so, or if it begins to look worn.
  5. False. For best results, form a C-shape with the floss around one tooth, just beneath the gumline, and drag the floss upward along the entire side of your tooth. Reverse the C-shape to cup the side of the neighboring tooth and repeat.

ABOUT YOUR RIVERSIDE DENTISTS:

With offices throughout Riverside Country, including Corona, Temecula, and Moreno Valley, Riverside Dental Group is happy to provide advanced general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry services to patients of all ages. To learn more, or to schedule a consultation, call our office today at (951) 689-5031.