Tooth Trivia from Your Rochester Dentist

At Calcagno Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, our team aims to provide our patients with important information about oral health and dental conditions. We believe that educated patients will take a proactive approach to managing their oral health. Our teeth are very important; we use our teeth every day for eating and speaking.  How much do you know about your teeth? Take the short quiz below to find out!

Tooth Trivia Quiz

1. Teeth begin to develop during the second trimester of pregnancy. True/False
2. Teeth are not living structures. True/False
3. Tooth loss is a natural part of the aging process. True/False
4. Brushing teeth is more important than flossing. True/False
5. Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body. True/False
6. Acid erodes tooth enamel. True/False
7. Certain medications such as anti-depressants and anti-histamines affect tooth enamel. True/False
8. Plaque hardens into tartar within two days. True/False
9. Cavities are the number one reason for tooth loss. True/False

Answers:

1. True – Teeth develop during the second trimester. Medications such as certain antibiotics taken during pregnancy may affect a child’s development of tooth enamel.
2. False – Aside from the enamel coating around teeth, they are living structures.
3. False – Tooth loss is often wrongly associated with aging. Tooth loss is most commonly the result of traumatic injury or periodontal (gum) disease.
4. False – Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing. Flossing your teeth is imperative to preventing gum disease.
5. True – Tooth enamel is comprised of strong minerals. Next to diamonds, it is the second strongest substance on earth.
6. True – Acid from foods and beverages is the number one culprit of enamel damage.
7. True – Some medications contribute to increasing the presence of acid in the mouth which can damage tooth enamel.
8. True – Even if you brush and floss properly, you still leave plaque behind. When plaque hardens into tartar, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
9. False – Periodontal disease is the number one reason for tooth loss.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilly Calcagno, contact our Rochester dentist office at (507) 281-3659. We serve patients from Red Wing, Hastings, Farmington, Winona, and the surrounding Rochester communities.