Challenge: How well do you know your dental facts?

Think you know your teeth? Let’s find out. How well do you know your dental facts?

True or false: You have the same number of baby teeth as you do adult teeth

False!

The first teeth you have are called “baby” or “primary” teeth. You only have 20 in total, 10 on each jaw. This number balloons out to 32, or 16 upper and lower, when you grow your “permanent” or “adult” teeth.

True or false: Losing baby teeth early isn’t a problem because they’re temporary anyway.

False!

Baby teeth actually serve a pretty vital role in the growth and development of your mouth. They help to shape your jaw as you grow, and also guide your adult teeth. Losing baby teeth early can cause big problems with the shape of your jaw and the positioning and placement of your adult teeth.

True or false: Not everyone grows wisdom teeth

True!

Some people simply never develop wisdom teeth.

True or false: You have to have wisdom teeth removed

False!

Wisdom teeth only need to be removed if they cause, or are likely to cause, problems. Some people have adequate space in their jaw to accommodate the extra teeth, and never have issues. Others … not so lucky.

Which is better for your teeth: cheese, dried fruit, or bread?

Cheese!

Soft bread and dried fruit easily stick to your teeth and provide lots of food for bacteria growing in your mouth. Cheese is relatively low in sugar, helps produce saliva which protects your teeth, and gives you a nice boost of calcium.

It’s not, unfortunately, great for your waistline if you eat too much — but all good things in moderation.

True or false: You don’t actually need to brush and floss twice a day.

False!

In fact, dentists pretty much globally agree that if everyone actually stuck to the recommended daily oral hygiene regime, they’d lose a lot of patients. The most common problems with oral health — cavities, infections, etc. — can almost all be avoided by simply taking care of your teeth. Is brushing twice a day really more of a hassle than visiting the dentist to get work done?

Your tooth gets knocked out. What should you put it in before you go to the dentist? An empty zip-lock bag, detergent, or milk?

Milk!

Milk actually helps keep the tooth clean and free of germs once it’s knocked out. Rinse it off, drop it in some milk — or some water with salt if you don’t have milk — and get it to the dentist ASAP. In many cases you can actually get the tooth back in place if you get there within the hour.

True or false: Bleeding gums is the first sign of gum disease.

False!

It is a symptom, but it’s actually a sign of advanced gum disease. Very early gum disease is almost unnoticeable, and the first symptoms are usually soreness, redness and swelling.