Oral Health Basics: Understanding the Oral Cavity

Using a high salt solution as a dental rinse can promote healthy mouth bacteria.

Baking soda with a soft toothbrush and water can be used as a low-cost mouthwash alternative to commercial options.

Alcohol-based mouthwashes are recommended for overall oral health.

Brushing and flossing are not critical for oral health.

Using heavily scented alcohol-based antiseptic mouthwashes can improve nitric oxide production.

Rinsing the mouth with water after consuming sugar or food is not beneficial.

Limiting the amount of time that the mouth is acidic helps prevent demineralization and cavity development.

Brushing your teeth at nighttime is not important for oral health.

Swishing water or water with a little salt helps in creating food products and sugar in the mouth.

Mouth breathing, alcohol, and stimulants have no negative impact on oral health.

Tongue scraping is more preferred than lightly brushing the tongue for oral health.

Using a separate toothbrush for tongue brushing helps prevent bacterial crossover between teeth and tongue.

Oral health is solely about having clean, straight, white teeth and fresh breath.

Consuming low sugar fermented foods can indirectly support gut microbiome and help in canker sore prevention.

Ensuring sufficient sleep does not contribute to gut and oral microbiome health.

Healthy gums are important for supporting teeth.

PH scale ranges from 0 to 10.

Acidic solutions have a pH greater than 7.

Saliva production and mineral content do not influence the acidity of the mouth.

Gums (gingiva) do not play a critical role in stabilizing teeth.

Using a soft toothbrush is recommended for gentle circular motion brushing on fronts and backs of teeth.

Vigorous brushing with medium or hard bristles can lead to gum issues.

Electric toothbrush users should apply a lot of pressure when brushing their gums.

Brushing gums lightly can increase circulation of blood and nutrients to the deeper parts of the tooth.

Tartar can be effectively removed by brushing and flossing at home.

Proper pH in the oral cavity kills harmful bacteria and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Neglecting oral health can lead to periodontal disease, which is linked to conditions like Alzheimer's and cardiac health issues.

Cavities are directly caused by sugar itself, not bacteria feeding on sugar.

Sharing glasses, bottles, and kissing can transmit the cavity-causing bacteria Strep Mutans.

Acid produced by bacteria in the oral cavity leads to the remineralization of teeth, preventing cavities.

Plaque is composed of bacteria and can lead to gum disease.

Caries is a scientific term for bad breath.

Enamel is the outer surface layer of teeth that protects against decay.

Periodontal disease is caused by inflammation and infection of the gums.

Fluoride helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth in the early stages of decay.

Halitosis is a term used for tooth decay.

Gums (gingiva) surround the base of the teeth and cover the jawbone.

Tartar is a soft film composed of bacteria that forms on teeth.

Dentin contains microscopic tubules that can cause pain when exposed.

A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay, resulting from acid erosion.