Mouth Myths and Facts Quiz

When it comes to causing cavities, how long sugar has contact with your teeth is more important than how much sugar you eat. Sugar is consumed by bacteria that produces acid that eats away at tooth enamel. The longer sugar is in your mouth, the more acid forms, and the longer your teeth are exposed to it.

It's not just the sugar in soda that's a problem. Carbonated drinks are high in acid, and that destroys tooth enamel. Acid can even be harder on teeth than sugar. The bottom line: Avoid sugary and sugar-free sodas. Drink water – preferably fluorinated -- instead.

Vegetables like carrots and celery are high in fiber and water, which help clean teeth. They also get more saliva flowing. This neutralizes the acids that cause cavities and gum disease.

Foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits are healthy but acidic. So eat them at a meal, when saliva can help wash acid away. Dried fruits are also healthy, but they are high in sugar and can remain on teeth for a long time. If you want fruit, consider a fiber-rich apple instead.

In-office whitening can whiten more quickly but not better.  How long whitening lasts has more to do with what a person does after what they eat, drink, and or smoke than with the type of whitening they used.

A furry old toothbrush won't do your teeth much good. When the bristles break down, they don't clean as well. Get a new brush every season -- or sooner if the bristles are flat and frayed. What if your toothbrush still looks good as new after three or four months? You may not be brushing long enough or often enough.

Mouthwashes with fluoride help protect tooth enamel and prevent cavities. An antiseptic mouthwash helps kill bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath. Rinsing also helps flush bits of food out of your mouth.

Diabetes makes you more likely to get serious gum disease. Your gums pull away from your teeth, and your teeth can loosen or fall out. Osteoporosis can cause bone loss in your jaw, which anchors your teeth.

If you have either of these conditions, it’s all the more reason to take good care of your teeth and gums. And if you have osteoporosis, make sure to get enough calcium and vitamins D and K.

Using a hard brush can actually wear down the surface of your teeth and gums. So can brushing too hard. Soft, flexible bristles clean between teeth and in hard-to-reach spots better.

Gently brushing your teeth and gums for two or three minutes with a soft-bristled brush will get the job done. Brush your tongue too, to get rid of bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Brushing right after eating acidic foods can do your teeth more harm than good. Though acid attacks your teeth, brushing can actually push it deeper into the enamel on your teeth. In one study, brushing 20 minutes after drinking a diet soda also eroded the layer of tooth under the enamel.

Rinse your mouth with water after eating acidic foods, but wait 30 minutes to an hour to brush.

A number of things can cause or worsen gum disease: Smoking, stress, medications, poor nutrition, obesity, heart disease, and family history are some. Three out of four people in the U.S. have gum disease, but only about 3% get treatment. Because it's painless, you may not know you have it.

If your gums bleed easily or are red, swollen, or tender, see your dentist. Treat gum disease early before it worsens and you risk losing teeth.