Oral Health Assessment Quiz
Take 2 minutes to assess your current oral health status. Answer questions about your dental hygiene habits, symptoms, and lifestyle to receive a personalized oral health score and improvement recommendations.
Understanding Your Oral Health
Maintaining excellent oral health goes beyond just preventing cavities. Good oral hygiene protects your teeth and gums, prevents bad breath, and contributes to your overall health and wellbeing. Studies link poor oral health to heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory infections.
Essential Oral Hygiene Practices
Brushing Technique
Effective brushing requires more than just scrubbing your teeth. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and use gentle circular motions. Brush all surfaces of each tooth including outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Don't forget your tongue, where bacteria accumulate and cause bad breath. Brush for a full 2 minutes twice daily.
Flossing Daily
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach. This prevents gum disease and reduces cavity risk by up to 40%. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most around your middle fingers and holding it tightly with your thumbs and forefingers. Gently guide the floss between teeth using a rubbing motion, curving it around each tooth in a C-shape.
Mouthwash and Fluoride
Antimicrobial mouthwash reduces bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease. Fluoride rinses strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent decay. However, mouthwash should supplement, not replace, brushing and flossing. Use mouthwash after brushing and flossing, swishing for 30 seconds before spitting out.
Common Oral Health Issues
- Gingivitis: Early gum disease causing red, swollen gums that bleed during brushing. Reversible with improved oral hygiene and professional cleaning.
- Tooth Decay: Caused by bacteria producing acids that erode tooth enamel. Prevented through regular brushing, flossing, and limiting sugar intake.
- Tooth Sensitivity: Pain when consuming hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods. Caused by enamel erosion or gum recession exposing tooth roots.
- Halitosis: Chronic bad breath caused by bacteria, dry mouth, gum disease, or certain foods. Usually manageable with proper oral hygiene.
- Periodontitis: Advanced gum disease affecting bone and tissue supporting teeth. Requires professional treatment to prevent tooth loss.
Lifestyle Factors Affecting Oral Health
Diet and Nutrition
What you eat significantly impacts your oral health. Sugary and acidic foods feed harmful bacteria and erode enamel. Limit sugar intake, especially between meals. Choose tooth-friendly foods like cheese, nuts, vegetables, and water. Calcium-rich foods strengthen teeth, while crunchy vegetables help clean tooth surfaces naturally.
Smoking and Alcohol
Smoking significantly increases risks of gum disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, and delayed healing after dental procedures. It reduces blood flow to gums, making infection more likely. Excessive alcohol consumption can dry out your mouth, reducing saliva's protective effects and increasing decay risk.
Stress and Grinding
Stress often leads to teeth grinding (bruxism) and jaw clenching, which can wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, and lead to headaches. If you wake with jaw soreness or your partner reports grinding sounds, consult your dentist about a protective night guard.
Take Action on Your Results
This quiz helps identify areas for improvement in your oral health routine. Schedule regular dental check-ups every 6 months for professional cleaning and early detection of issues. Your dentist can provide personalized advice based on your specific oral health needs.