Teeth Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which description best matches gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease?
Inflamed gums that may look red or swollen and bleed, without the attachment loss of periodontitis
A hole that forms only in the enamel of a tooth
Normal gum recession that occurs after every meal
An infection limited to the dental pulp inside one tooth
2. A tooth develops a visible crack and hurts when biting, but there is no facial swelling. What should the person do?
Test the crack by repeatedly biting on hard foods
Cover the area with household glue until it seals
Avoid chewing on that side and arrange a dental assessment promptly
Ignore it because cracks cannot worsen without swelling
3. How does dental tartar differ from plaque?
Tartar is a food stain, while plaque is damaged enamel
Tartar is plaque that has hardened through mineral buildup and generally requires professional removal
Tartar occurs inside the tooth, while plaque occurs only on the tongue
Tartar is caused only by sugar, while plaque is caused only by acidic drinks
4. Which tissue forms the hard outer covering of the visible crown of a tooth?
Enamel
Dentin
Cementum
Dental pulp
5. How does fluoride mainly help prevent cavities?
It removes hardened tartar from below the gumline
It creates a permanent plastic coating over every tooth
It supports remineralization and makes tooth mineral more resistant to acid attack
It eliminates the need to remove plaque mechanically
6. After a long break from flossing, someone notices that the gums bleed repeatedly during gentle cleaning. What is the best interpretation?
Bleeding means the tooth enamel is becoming thinner
Bleeding proves that floss is cutting healthy gum tissue and should never be used again
Bleeding is expected whenever teeth are clean, so no attention is needed
Bleeding can be associated with gum inflammation; gentle cleaning should continue, with dental advice if it persists
7. An adult permanent tooth is completely knocked out during sport. What is the best immediate response?
Scrub the root thoroughly and let the tooth dry before seeking care
Hold it by the crown, rinse gently if dirty, keep it moist or reinsert if feasible, and obtain emergency dental care
Hold the tooth by its root and place it in disinfectant
Wrap the tooth in a dry tissue and arrange a routine appointment next week
8. Which is an important way saliva helps protect teeth?
It washes away debris and helps neutralize acids in the mouth
It permanently seals pits in the chewing surfaces
It replaces enamel that has been completely lost
It prevents all oral bacteria from growing
9. After drinking an acidic beverage, what approach helps limit additional enamel wear from brushing?
Use an abrasive whitening powder immediately afterward
Brush immediately and firmly while the acid is still present
Rinse with water and allow time for saliva to neutralize the mouth before brushing
Avoid cleaning the teeth for the rest of the day
10. A tooth starts hurting without an obvious trigger, and cold causes pain that lingers after the drink is gone. What is the most appropriate next step?
Assume the discomfort is normal if the tooth looks intact
Stop cleaning around the tooth until the pain disappears
Wait until facial swelling develops before contacting anyone
Arrange a prompt dental evaluation rather than relying only on sensitivity products
11. What directly causes enamel to lose minerals during the tooth-decay process?
Pressure from chewing food
Acids produced when plaque bacteria metabolize fermentable carbohydrates
The natural shedding of gum cells
Saliva coating the tooth surface
12. Maya wants to remove plaque effectively without irritating her gums. Which brushing approach is most appropriate?
Use a soft-bristled brush gently along every surface and the gumline for about two minutes
Brush only the chewing surfaces, where food is most visible
Scrub firmly from side to side with a hard-bristled brush
Brush briefly after each meal without toothpaste instead of brushing thoroughly twice daily
13. Jordan is beginning a sport where impacts to the mouth are possible. Which measure most directly lowers the chance of dental injury?
Using whitening toothpaste before each practice
Chewing gum during play to cushion the teeth
Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during practices and games
Clenching the jaw whenever contact is expected
14. How many teeth are in a typical complete adult dentition when all four wisdom teeth are present?
28
32
24
36
15. A mouth sore has not healed after more than two weeks. What is the most appropriate response?
Keep irritating it to check whether sensation is normal
Assume every persistent sore is caused by biting the cheek
Wait several months because oral sores cannot require prompt attention
Have it assessed by a dentist or other qualified healthcare professional
16. Someone develops persistent dry mouth after starting a new medication. Why can this matter for dental health?
Dryness causes wisdom teeth to grow more quickly
Dryness makes enamel expand and fracture immediately
Reduced saliva prevents plaque from adhering to teeth
Reduced saliva can weaken cleansing and acid buffering, increasing cavity risk