A survey was taken online of 1,500 people across the U.S. about their knowledge of oral health and hygiene. No one had results near 100 percent; results ranged from high of 85 percent correct to a low of 29 percent.
- Women scored higher than men by 4 percent.
- Caregivers scored slightly higher.
- The more educated you are the higher you scored.
- Certain topics had better reviews; what is gingivitis? (95 percent correct) Does your mouth change as you get older? (93 percent correct) Pregnant women should pay extra attention to their dental health? (92 percent correct)
Denture wearers still need to visit the dentist? (92 percent correct)
- Then other topics weren’t so hot such as, knowledge on when children should be able to brush their teeth? (6 percent correct) Should one brush after every meal? (10 percent correct) Does sugar cause cavities? (19 percent correct) What age should have their first visit to the dentist? (25 percent correct)
The survey then took a turn asking consumers for their thoughts about a number of oral health topics, which gave the next results:
- 83 percent household participates in tooth fairy rewards.
- 85 percent respond that a good smile is extremely important for finding a job.
- 1 in 5 people have been too embarrassed to go to social events because of teeth problems.
- A nice smile over takes skin, eyes, and hair.
What do you think you can score?
1. How many times a day should you brush?
A. Once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. None of the above
2. Should you floss every day?
True or False
3. How often should you visit Barb the hygienist for a cleaning?
A. Every two weeks
B. Once a year
C. On average every six months
D. Never
4. Can an alcohol base rinse increase your chance of oral cancer?
True or False
5. After getting the fluoride treatment done in the office, how long do you wait to eat or drink?
A. 3 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes
