Keep Smiling! Trivia Quiz

Answer: acid

Generally, the mouth is at a pH of about 6.2 to 7.0. After eating, several of the bacteria consume the carbohydrates (or other sugary foods) and produce acid. When the pH is approximately 5.2 to 5.5, the enamel and cementum will begin to dissolve. The cementum is not as hard as enamel and decays at a faster rate.

Answer: enamel

The enamel is the hardest material made by the body and generally covers the tooth where it is exposed above the gum line. The dentin, which lies just below the enamel at the crown and is covered by the cementum at the root of tooth, functions as a protection for the pulp. The cementum is at the root of the tooth and acts as "cement" to stabilize the tooth.

The central part of the tooth is the pulp, also called the nerve. This is responsible for creating dentin, providing sensory information, and nourishing the tooth. A cavity large enough to reach the pulp, or one that allows bacteria to infect the pulp, is one cause of a toothache.

Answer: Yes

Teeth are vulnerable as soon as they appear. "Baby bottle tooth decay" can be caused by prolonged exposure to sweetened drinks or even those that have natural sugars, such as milk or fruit juice. Dentists now recommend that oral hygiene begin even before teeth are present by cleaning a baby's gums with sterile gauze.

Answer: chisel

Dentists generally start with a visual exam, as teeth that are black or brown may well have a cavity. The explorer is a small hook tool that a dentist uses to probe the teeth for cavities. X-rays can often reveal cavities not found with the other tools listed here, especially when a cavity is present between two teeth.

Answer: No

There are many other factors that could also be involved, and a frank discussion of risk factors with your dentist could be key to minimizing some of these.

Genetics can play a part in increasing your risk. One issue for seniors, or those on specific medications, includes reduced saliva production. Smokers run the risk of having the gums recede which gives the bacteria easier access to the cementum.

Answer: fluoride

Topically applied, fluoride remineralizes the enamel which strengthens the teeth.

Fluoride has been added to many US public water systems since the 1940s. Though some statistics show that tooth decay has been decreased, there is still much controversy over whether this is an appropriate, or even safe, method of distribution.

Answer: collagen

Amalgam generally appears silver in color and is composed of several metals including silver, mercury, tin, and copper. This is less expensive than some of the other options, but can also discolor over time.

Composite resin can also be used with the advantage of allowing it be colored to match the repaired tooth. This is also often used to repair broken teeth, though the material does not generally last as long as amalgam fillings.

Gold, though one of the more expensive options, is durable and strong.

Porcelain is one of the more costly options, but is also generally the most durable filling.

Answer: crown

Removing the decay from a large cavity could leave little of the tooth. A crown fitted and cemented to the remainder of the tooth provides a solid chewing surface and protects the remnants of the tooth.

A crown can be made from several materials, and usually involve at least a couple of visits for it to be fitted properly to the repaired tooth and to the biting surface of the opposing tooth.

Answer: extraction

Some of the reasons that an extraction could be performed would because of abscess, impaction of other teeth, or because a broken tooth cannot be repaired. In some cases, when the tooth is infected and cannot be repaired, an extraction is performed to prevent the infection from spreading through the blood to other areas of the body.

The extraction site needs to be monitored for several days to ensure that it heals properly.

Answer: brushing and flossing

Plaque is formed when the bacteria that reside in the the human mouth attach to the teeth. Brushing and flossing daily helps to minimize plaque buildup and can help prevent gum disease.

Your dentist can help you with techniques to ensure that you clean each tooth. Several sites recommended that you should dedicate at least two minutes each time you brush your teeth. Flossing properly will help to clean the area nearest the gum line.