Can You Pass this Dental Health Quiz for Summer?

Summer is a great time for kids and families alike! School’s out and there is plenty to do outside at the pool, playing summer sports, taking a trip to the amusement park or movie theater to see the next summer blockbuster, or even taking a family road trip or summer vacation. With all that going on, we can sometimes forget our day-to-day routines during the summer—but summer is no time to skimp on brushing or flossing, or on trips to see your Kansas City family dentist! After all, summer is also the season of ice cream and cool and refreshing summer foods and beverages, so you’ll want to keep everyone’s teeth in good shape so that they’ll be ready for big smiles and school photos once classes start back up again. That’s why your Kansas City family dentist has created this Dental Health Quiz for Summer! See how many questions you and your family members get right…

1. Are the ice cubes in a glass of cool lemonade or iced tea potentially bad for your dental health?

Unfortunately, yes. Chewing on ice cubes or any other hard substance can cause additional wear on your enamel, or even send you to the dentist with a fractured tooth. Luckily, this doesn’t mean you have to take all your drinks “neat,” just avoid chewing on ice cubes.

2. Do sticky foods like taffy or gum put your teeth at greater risk for cavities than, say, sugary soda?

Actually, they are pretty much all the same. Any foods or beverages that are high in sugar—from candies and drinks to sugary chewing gum—increase your risk for cavities. Cavity-causing bacteria love sugar, and when they get plenty of sugar to eat, they create more acid, which is what actually damages your teeth.

3. Do you need a mouthguard when playing soccer?

Absolutely. While soccer may not be as much of a contact sport as football or hockey, there are still plenty of opportunities for dental injury. From falling down to getting hit in the face with the ball, you should always wear a mouthguard when engaged in sports or other activities that carry the risk of injury. For more about mouthguards or to get one that fits you, see your Kansas City dentist today!

4. Are sports drinks better than soft drinks when it comes to your teeth?

Unfortunately, no. Many sports drinks were originally engineered for professional athletes who train literally all day long and need the added sugars that many sports drinks feature as one of their primary ingredients. We recently posted a great article on how to stay hydrated during the summer without all that sugar. Check it out here!

5. During the summer should you brush your teeth twice a day or just after each meal?

Trick question! Both are correct. Regardless of the season, you should always brush your teeth at least twice a day, and for optimal dental health, brushing after each meal is a great idea!

How did you do on the quiz? If you didn’t get every answer 100% correct, that’s OK. You probably learned a few things along the way, and your Kansas City family dentist is always here to answer any questions you might have. At Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, we’ve been helping families with everything from cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and sleep apnea for years. Call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.