Though general and cosmetic dentistry place different focuses on your smile (health and aesthetics, respectively), a bright smile usually means a healthy smile. In our quest to help make your smile both healthy and beautiful, Dr. Leibowitz has spoken extensively about the measures you can take in your daily life to preserve your smile’s youthful glow. To see how much you’ve learned about good dental health care, take our bright smile quiz below, provided by your dedicated Astoria dentist.
Keep Your Pearly Whites, Well, Pearly White
1. When oral bacteria weaken your tooth enamel, your tooth becomes more susceptible to staining, as well as tooth decay and cavities. What substance do these germs produce that erodes your teeth’s natural defense?
a.) Acid
b.) Dental plaque
c.) Sugar
2. Brush your teeth too little, and your routine is ineffective, but brush too much and you risk stripping enamel from your teeth. According to the ADA, how many times should you brush your teeth every day?
a.) Once
b.) Twice
c.) Whenever you feel plaque on your teeth
3. You may know that some foods harm your teeth, but others may actually help improve your smile. Which of the following is recommended to help brighten your smile?
a.) Brush your teeth harder
b.) Eat a lot of sugar
c.) Consume dairy products
Answers
1.) Acid—There are over 600 different kinds of bacteria in your mouth, each with its own unique properties. Streptococcus mutans, for example, consumes sugars and carbs from your diet and converts them into lactic acid, which depletes minerals from your teeth and weakens the tooth enamel that relies on those minerals. Aside from paving the way for tooth decay, weakened tooth enamel also stains much easier than when it’s healthy and strong.
2.) Twice—Though brushing your teeth after every meal would be ideal, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once, preferably before bedtime. However, if dental plaque is noticeable on your teeth, then it’s probably a good idea to brush and floss it off as soon as possible.
3.) Consume dairy products—Dairy products like milk and cheese contain ample supplies of calcium and phosphate—the main building blocks of your tooth enamel. Consuming enough of these minerals can help keep your enamel strong against acid attacks, reducing your risk of tooth decay and tooth stains in the process.
Bright and Healthy Smiles with Your Astoria Dentist
To learn more about keeping your smile bright and healthy, call our Astoria dentist’s office to schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Leibowitz. You can contact us by calling (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
