One of the early focuses of children’s dentistry is patient education. As children’s teeth begin to develop, they need to learn the proper way to take care of them to ensure a lifetime of oral health. Thus, during a dental visit, time may be set aside in the interest of improving oral hygiene techniques and learning more about caring for teeth. To help reinforce good oral hygiene, Dr. Deborha Staten has put together a quiz for you and your child.

Take the Quiz

1. About how long should you brush your teeth?
2. Should you swallow toothpaste?
3. Do baby teeth require fillings?
4. True or False: Brushing as often as possible helps keep teeth healthier.

Check Your Answers

1. Two or three minutes. By giving yourself enough time, you are able to focus your attention on each of your teeth. Be sure that you brush the front, back, and top surfaces of each tooth.
2. No. Toothpaste exists to clean teeth. Swallowing too much toothpaste can be very harmful and can require emergency medical treatment.
3. Yes. Even though it seems like fillings wouldn’t be necessary—adult teeth are waiting in the wings after all—baby teeth do require fillings. Without a filling, a tooth can become infected, causing further oral health problems and possibly other general health problems. Also, if a baby tooth falls out too early, the surrounding teeth may grow into the area vacated by the tooth, resulting in orthodontic concerns later in life.
4. False. If you brush teeth too often you may damage them. Too much abrasion can wear away enamel and damage the gums. Dr. Staten recommends brushing twice a day.

Schedule a Visit with your Las Vegas Family Dentist

Attending regular dental visits can help keep your child’s mouth healthy. If six months have passed since your child’s last checkup, schedule an appointment with  Dr. Staten today by calling 702-736-7979.