82801 Dentist: Try This Homecare Quiz

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toothbrush and dental flossMaintaining thorough and consistent homecare can do wonders for your mouth. By brushing and flossing correctly, you can keep harmful bacteria from damaging your teeth and gums, keeping your smile healthy and functional. Therefore, to help you maintain your oral health, your 82801 dentist, Dr. Coon, has created this quiz to sharpen your homecare skills.

The Quiz

  1. True or False: You should brush your teeth forcefully to keep them clean.
  2. True or False: The more often you brush your teeth, the better.
  3. True or False: You should use about 18 inches of dental floss when flossing.

The Answers

  1. False. Brushing teeth too forcefully can actually damage them by stripping teeth of their enamel, thereby making them more vulnerable to decay. Brushing too hard can also damage the gums, causing them to bleed. It is, therefore, better to brushing gently with some firmness, but not with heavy force.
  2. False. Brushing too often can have the same effect as brushing too hard. The constant abrasion can eventually strip teeth of their enamel. The same is also true of brushing right after drinking an acidic beverage like coffee or soda. Although the acids in these drinks can strip teeth of enamel, it is best to wait to brush your teeth because the enamel will be more vulnerable after coming into contact with the acids and brushing may remove it altogether. Thus, it is best to rinse the mouth with water after drinking an acidic beverage.
  3. True. While it may seem like too much floss, 18 inches is a good amount to use because it allows you to use clean sections of the floss continually as you work your way through your mouth. If you were to use the same section of floss the entire time you were flossing, the bacteria you cleaned from one area might end up being transferred somewhere else in the mouth rather than removed.

Schedule a Visit with Your 82801 Dentist

Regular dental visits are also a vital part of maintaining your oral health. During these visits, a hygienist can remove stubborn plaque and tartar from teeth, leaving teeth cleaner and the mouth healthier. If more than six months have passed since your last dental visit, contact your 82801 dentist, Dr. Coon, today by calling Grinnell Street Dental at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY, and all surrounding communities.