Brushing your teeth every day is important to protect your mouth. However, it won’t be very effective if you don’t brush properly or if your toothbrush is in bad shape. Take this quiz to find out how much you know about the importance of brushing.
1. What is the recommended brushing time?
(a) 30 seconds to one minute, twice a day.
(b) Two to three minutes, twice a day.
(c) Five minutes, once a day.
2. How often should you replace your toothbrush?
(a) Every three months
(b) Every two weeks
(c) Once a year
3. How should you store your toothbrush?
(a) With a cover or cap
(b) Upright and uncovered to air-dry
(c) Laying down by the sink
4. What is the most important purpose of brushing?
(a) To have fresh breath
(b) To make my dentist happy
(c) To remove food particles and plaque
5. What action goes along with brushing to keep your teeth healthy?
(a) Flossing
(b) Eating
(c) Sleeping
Answers:
- What is the recommended brush time? (b) Two to three minutes, twice a day. The average person brushes for less than a minute, but that’s not enough time to scrub away bacteria. To make sure you’re brushing long enough, set a timer, watch the clock, or brush to your favorite song.
- How often should you replace your toothbrush? (a) Every three months. Your toothbrush becomes worn out with use and won’t be as effective in cleaning your mouth. The American Dental Association says that you should replace your brush when the bristles become frayed. You should also replace your brush after you’ve been sick.
- How should you store your toothbrush? (b) Upright and uncovered to air-dry. You may think a cap prevents bacteria from getting on the brush, but bacteria thrive in moist, enclosed environments. Other storage advice – keep it away from the toilet and away from other toothbrushes.
- What is the most important purpose of brushing? (c) To remove food particles and plaque. It will give you fresh breath and make your dentist happy, but it’s more important to brush your teeth to remove debris and scrub away harmful bacteria.
- What action goes along with brushing to keep your teeth healthy? (a) Flossing. A toothbrush can clean the surface of your teeth, gums, and tongue, but floss helps get between your teeth to remove particles that the toothbrush cannot reach.
Brushing daily is an important preventive action to keep your mouth clean, but it’s also necessary to visit Dr. Locke every six months for a professional dental cleaning and examination. During your checkup, he can assess how well your oral hygiene habits are working. Contact our dental office in Waco, TX at (254) 776-4888 to schedule an appointment.