What do you know about your teeth? Without them, your refrigerator’s contents would probably look very different. You may not have much luck communicating by phone, either. Teeth help you eat, speak, and feel good about your appearance. You know to brush twice and floss once a day, and people say that you should go to the dentist for checkups or a toothache.

Now consider, what do you know about your car? It gets you where you need to go, and it costs a lot of money to maintain. You probably also know that the odometer tells you how many miles you’ve traveled; the fuel gauge lets you know when to stop for gas; and the tires should be changed when they begin to wear. You may also know where gas, oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and windshield wiper soap goes. If your car does not perform properly, you take it to a mechanic. The state mandates that your car meet certain standards – but no one mandates your oral health.

Do you know more about your car than you do your teeth? Hmmm. This quiz will determine your dental IQ. Are you up to the challenge?

1. How often should you schedule a dental checkup with your Dallas dentist?

a. Every six months

b. Once a year

c. Whenever it’s convenient

The answer is a, every six months. Each checkup at VivaDental involves a thorough cleaning, oral examination, and a discussion about your dental needs and desires. Besides maintaining a bright smile, checkups are important for the prevention of serious oral health issues, such as gum disease and oral cancer.

2. At Viva Dental, we offer amalgam-free fillings. Do you why?

a. Amalgam fillings are silver-colored and unsightly.

b. Amalgam contains trace amounts of mercury.

c. Both

The answer is c, both. In addition, amalgam expands and contracts with variances in temperature, which, over time, could lead to tooth fracture and infection beneath the filling. (more…)