Easy as ABC

A. According to the American Dental Association, if a tooth is knocked out: rinse the roots with water and gently place the tooth back in the socket and hold in place, if this isn’t feasible then put the tooth in a cup of milk. Either way, seek dental care immediately.

B. Baby teeth are susceptible to tooth decay as soon as they appear, at about 6 months or so

C. Change your toothbrush at least every 3 months

D. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too!

E. Eating a balances diet reduces the risk of gum disease.

F. Flossing and interdental cleaners also help remove food debris caught between teeth that may not be rinsed away. While some study results indicate the use of a mouth rinse can be as effective as flossing for reducing plaque between the teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing once a day.

G. Gum disease can be prevented by brushing, flossing, and scheduling regular dental visits.

H. Halitosis may be caused by dieting, or infrequent eating.

I. It's not necessarily the amount of sugar in the sweets you put in your mouth that can cause damage; any kind of candy that sticks to your teeth is more harmful than a chocolate bar that gets washed away.

J. Just brushing alone isn’t enough, flossing is mandatory!

K. Kids could use 3 minute timers to double check their brushing duration

L. Leaving the water running while you brush can waste five gallons of water or more per day

M. Most cavities could be prevented by daily brushing and flossing

N. National Children’s Dental Health Month has been observed every February since 1981.

O. Optimal levels of fluoride are between 0.7 and 1.2 ppm. It is important to check if bottled water is optimally fluoridated to prevent decay.

P. Plaque is the sticky film of bacteria covering teeth that, after contact with food, releases acid that attacks tooth enamel.

Q. Quitting all forms of tobacco products reduces the risk of gum disease and oral cancer.

R. Root canals are procedures that can save a tooth, even if decay has reached the underlying nerve.

S. Sealants are decay-preventing coatings applied to the most common chewing surfaces of teeth.

T. Teeth are numbers from the upper right molar, across the top arch, down to the lower left molar, and across the bottom arch, (a total of 32 permanent teeth).

U. Unlike at-home or in-office tooth bleaching treatments, whitening toothpastes do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

V. Visible sores on the outside of the mouth are called cold sores or fever blisters. Sores on the inside are called canker sores and are not contagious. Fatigue, stress, allergies, or biting the lip, cheek, or tongue can increase the likelihood of canker sore development.

W. When choosing a tooth whitening product, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance—your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

X. X-ray examinations can reveal small areas of decay, infections in the bone, abscesses, gum disease, some types of tumors, and developmental abnormalities.

Y. Your dentist deserves to know just as much as your primary doctor; oral bacteria have been associated with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Z. Z-z-z-z…never forget to brush before bed; this gives bacteria hours of uninterrupted feasting