Dental Basics
When enamel wears thin, this layer is why teeth look yellow
What is dentin?
Sour candy hits your candy with double damage: sugar and ....
What is acid?
When your dentist says you have "caries," they mean this
What is cavities?
The ADA says to replace your toothbrush every this many months
What is 3-4 months?
This sits in your mouth for a few minutes to make a mold of your teeth
What is impression tray?
This mineral in toothpaste helps rebuild enamel after acid attacks
+CHALLENGE
What is fluoride?
This type of dairy helps neutralize acid after a meal
What is cheese?
Not the math class everyone dreads but in dentistry, "calculus" means this
What is tartar?
Unlike a broken bone, damaged enamel can't do this
What is repair or regrow itself?
This metal band wraps around a tooth to give a filling its shape
What is matrix band?
They have the longest roots in your mouth
What is canines?
Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal boosts this, acting as your mouth's built-in rinse cycle
What is saliva?
"Gingiva" is the fancy word for these
What is gums?
Your mouth makes about this much saliva a day
What is about a liter?
This sharp, hook-shaped tool pokes your teeth to check for cavities
What is explorer?
After a sugary snack, acid attacks your teeth for about this long
What is about 20 minutes?
This fruit is nicknamed "nature's toothbrush"
What is apple?
"Halitosis" is better known as this
+ Challenge
The official word for being afraid of the dentist
What is dentophobia (or odontophobia)?
Hygienists scrape off tartar with this sharp tool
+ Challenge
What is scaler?
This sugar-gum sweetener tricks cavity bacteria because they can't use it for fuel
What is Xylitol?
Coffee, tea, and red wine all stain your smile thanks to these compounds
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What is tannins?
If your dentist says you have "bruxism" you are probably doing this in your sleep
What is grinding your teeth?
Your tongue is covered in how many tastebuds
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What is about 10,000?
This lever-like tool loosens a tool before it is pulled
What is elevator?