" Believe it or not"
which tooth is most likely to get a cavity first?
The first molars- especially the lower ones
What do patients almost ALWAYS do when you tell them to “open wide”?
They close their mouth slightly instead. 😆
What isolation method is considered the gold standard during adhesive procedures?
Rubber dam
What is the ideal amount of time patients should brush their teeth?
Two Minutes
What dental item was originally made from silk before nylon replaced it in the 1940s?
Dental floss
What percentage of the population has at least one cavity by age 34?
Over 80%.
What item do more than 20% of people admit they’ve used to clean between their teeth?
Their fingernails.
What instrument is commonly used to check the fit of a crown margin before cementation?
An Explorer
What is the most effective ingredient in toothpaste for preventing cavities?
Fluoride
What flavor is the MOST commonly used in prophy paste?
MINT
What common household drink can soften enamel if sipped all day?
Soda (diet soda included — the acid is the problem!).
What surprising item some patients use as “toothbrush replacements”
Paper towels.
What tool is used to measure periodontal pocket depths?
A periodontal probe
What happens if someone brushes their teeth too aggressively?
Gum recession and enamel abrasion
What famous cartoon character has teeth so large that dentistry textbooks have referenced them as jokes?
Bugs Bunny
What is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults?
Gum Disease
What's the #1 thing patients ask for immediately after being told they need a deep cleaning?
" Can't I just brush Harder?"
There are the five surfaces of a posterior tooth used in charting.
What are occlusal, mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual?
What tool do patients fear more than needles?
The ultrasonic scaler
What household snack is the #1 cause of patients calling because “something broke” in their mouth?
Popcorn (hulls + unpopped kernels)
How often should you replace your toothbrush to prevent bacterial buildup?
Every 3 months
What phrase do patients ALWAYS say right after you seat them and they see a needle?
" I hate the dentist"
What temperature and pressure are used in standard autoclave sterilization for 15 minutes?
121°C (250°F) at ~15 psi
What is the best cleaning device for patients with braces or orthodontic appliances?
water Flosser
What is the strongest muscle in the human body by weight, capable of producing up to 250 lbs of bite force?
The masseter muscle