Definitions

The Good Guys

The Bad Guys

It’s Catchy

Proper Brushing

Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round ended bristles that will not scratch and irritate teeth or gums. 

Place bristles along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating circular rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using a up and down and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces and gumline.
Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Do not brush the tongue.

You should brush your teeth: 

Every morning 
After every meal 
After every snack 
At work after you eat a meal
Before you go to bed at night 

Proper Flossing

Flossing is an essential part of the tooth-cleaning process because it removes plaque from teeth and at the gumline, where periodontal disease often begins. If you find using floss awkward or difficult, ask your dental hygienist about the variety of dental floss holders or other cleaning devices that are available. 

Wind 18" of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a 1"- 2" length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
Keep a 1" - 2" length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. Do not snap floss between your teeth. Contour floss around the side of the tooth. Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gumline. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss.

***Remember to brush and floss your teeth after every meal and before you go to bed.***

CDC Recommendations for Infection Control with Toothbrushes

Do not share toothbrushes. The exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections, a particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases. 

After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris, allow it to air-dry, and store it in an upright position. If multiple brushes are stored in the same holder, do not allow them to contact each other. 

It is not necessary to soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This practice actually may lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same disinfectant solution is used over a period of time or by multiple users. 

It is also unnecessary to use dishwashers, microwaves, or ultraviolet devices to disinfect toothbrushes. These measures may damage the toothbrush. 

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. Such conditions (a humid environment) are more conducive to bacterial growth than the open air. 

Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommendation of the American Dental Association is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its subsequent loss of mechanical effectiveness, not on its bacterial contamination. 

A decision to purchase or use products for toothbrush disinfection requires careful consideration, as the scientific literature does not support this practice at the present time.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush. 

Questions

What is the recommended number of times to brush your teeth in one day? 
Twice a day 

How often should your toothbrush be replaced with a new one? 
Every three to four months

When brushing your teeth approximately how long should you brush them? 
Generally three to four minutes 

What is the best type of toothpaste to use when you are brushing your teeth? 
Any brand or kind that contains fluoride 

What type of toothbrush should be used when you consider brushing your teeth? 
Any toothbrush with a small head, soft nylon bristles, and a handle suitable for firm grasping 

What is the definition of plaque? 
Thin sticky film of bacteria

The best way to remove harmful plaque from teeth and gums is to do what? 
Brush teeth regularly and properly

How often should a person floss their teeth? 
Daily or after every time that you brush your teeth

How often should a person visit the dentist to get their teeth cleaned? 
Every six months 

When brushing your teeth how many teeth should you brush in a group at one time?
Two to three teeth at a time then you move to the next group of two to three teeth

What is the meaning for the word cavity?
A hollow space or pit in the tooth

What is a retainer? 
A device used to stabilize teeth after orthodontic treatment is completed

What is the job of a pediatric dentist? 
To treat children from birth up until they are ten years old

Do all of your teeth have enamel on them?
Yes, but it can be worn down

How many molar teeth can a person have?
4

If a person has all of their teeth including molar and wisdom teeth how many do they have?
32 teeth 

How many teeth does a person have on each row? Meaning top and bottom. 
Top - 16;  Bottom - 16

Do children loose all 20 of their primary teeth?
Yes and they are replaced with their permanent teeth

What are your teeth made of? 
Enamel