ElderTree Dental Health Jeopardy

The Tooth, the Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

100

What is the only disease in the world more common than tooth decay?

The common cold!

200

True or false: Fluoride is important for kids whose teeth are still developing, but isn't much help to adults. 

False! Adults can benefit from fluoride, too. You might especially benefit from fluoride if you have: dry mouth, a history of tooth decay, gum disease, or restorations which can increase the chance of decay where the restoration meets the tooth. 

300

True or false: People with gum disease (periodontal disease) are twice as likely to develop heart disease. 

True. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral germs can cause. 

400

Name one thing you should do to maintain your dental health over age 60.

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day Brush your tongue too.
• Clean between your teeth daily with floss, a water flosser or other products made for that purpose.
• Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary food and drinks.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Do it sooner if bristles are worn or flare out.
• See a dentist at twice a year for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist may suggest visits or cleanings more often, depending on your situation. 
• Don't use tobacco.
• Stay well-hydrated

500

True or false: Good oral health can lower the risk of dementia.

True! Tooth loss from gum disease (periodontitis) may raise your risk of dementia. In the October 2021 issue of the JAMDA: The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, researchers looked at 14 studies and found that older adults who had lost more than one tooth had an almost 50% higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia.

Brush Up on Dental Care

100

Name one reason dentists say you should use floss rather than a toothpick to remove stuck food?

• Damaging gums. If you use toothpicks frequently and roughly, you could risk damaging your gums, causing bleeding and tearing.
• Damaging tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the covering that makes up the outer layer of each tooth. Although it’s pretty tough stuff, it’s still vulnerable to the type of damage chewing on a toothpick can easily cause.
• Damaging tooth roots. If your gums have pulled away from your tooth roots, they could be especially prone to damage by a toothpick. Not to mention that touching exposed tooth roots with anything can also be very painful.
• Chipping veneers or crowns. Vigorous toothpick use can cause both to become damaged or even fall out altogether.
• Splinters. Toothpicks can fall apart and leave splinters in your gums, tongue and throat, which are not only painful and hard to remove, but could also result in infection.
• Swallowing. Toothpicks could kill you. About 9000 choking incidents are reported each year from someone either swallowing or inhaling a toothpick.

200

Which is a better way to keep your toothbrush clean right after use?

A. Put it in a closed case to protect it.

B. Store it upright in the open air. 

• Store toothbrushes in an upright position after use and allow them to air dry.  Storing a moist toothbrush in a closed container promotes microbial growth more so than leaving it exposed to the open air.10

300

According to the American Dental Association, how long should you brush your teeth?

A. Twice a day for at least 60 seconds.

B. Twice a day for at least two minutes. 

B. The American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing for two minutes has been shown to achieve clinically significant plaque removal. The average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day!

400

How often do you really need to floss your teeth?

A. Once a day

B. A few times per week.

C. Only when you feel something stuck between your teeth. 

A. Yup - you really should do it once a day. That's because brushing can't get to 30-40% of your tooth surface.  But less than half of adults in the U.S. floss every day. 

500

Name one reason it's important for older adults to keep their mouth moist (hydrated).

Chronically dry mouth can lead to increased plaque, tooth decay or gum disease.

Dry mouth can lead to problems chewing and swallowing, which can lead to poor nutrition.

Dry mouth can cause discomfort, mouth sores and sometimes bad breath.

BONUS:  To avoid xerostomia! (That's the fancy word for dry mouth.) 

Jaw-Dropping Facts

100

How much saliva will the average person produce in a lifetime?

A. 100,000 gallons, or 2 big swimming pools.

B. 20,000 liters

C. 2,000 gallons

B. 20,000 liters. That would be the equal of five 8-ounce glasses of water for everyone in a professional football stadium. Gross!

200

In the 1800s, which professions also moonlighted as dentists?

A. Midwives

B. Carpenters

C. Blacksmiths

C. Blacksmiths.  Barbers also took care of tooth-pulling, which was the main form of dental care people received. 

300

What were George Washington's dentures made of?

A. Wood 

B. Marble

C. Donkey and hippo teeth

C. They were made of gold, ivory, lead, plus a mixture of donkey, hippo and some human teeth. 

400

True or false:

The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't heal itself. 

True!

500

True or false: There are more bacteria in the human mouth than there are people on the Earth.

Gross, but true!