Q.1
Fruit is part of a healthy diet, but too much acidic fruit can eat away at your tooth enamel, causing it to soften and demineralize over time. Which of these fruits is the most acidic?
Lemons and limes
Strawberries
Bananas
Peaches and nectarines
Q.2
Which starchy foods can break down into sugars, promoting tooth decay?
White bread
Chips
Pasta
All of the above
Q.3
Which snacks produce sugar that has the greatest staying power on teeth, feeding cavity-producing bacteria long after you’ve finished eating?
Popcorn
Potato chips
Chocolate-covered candy
Raisins
Q.4
Some drinks can also encourage enamel erosion and cavities. Which acidic beverages should you try to minimize if you’re especially prone to cavities?
Citrus juices
Soda
Sports drinks
Wine
All of the above
Q.5
For every sip of an acidic drink or bite of an acidic food, how long does the acid attack your teeth?
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
20 minutes
Q.6
If you do indulge in a glass of wine, soda or another acidic drink, what’s the best way to minimize wear on your teeth?
Brush your teeth immediately afterwards
Drink a glass of milk beforehand
Drink it in one sitting, rather than sipping all day, and rinse your mouth with water afterwards
Sip through a straw
Q.7
Which type of candy can cause the most damage and why?
Lollipops and other hard candies, because they sit in your mouth longer
Sour gummies—not only are they both sugary and acidic, they can get stuck between your teeth
Dark chocolate, because it can stain your teeth
Candy bars with nuts, because they’re too crunchy
Q.8
If you’re going to eat sugary, starchy or acidic foods, what’s the best time of day to do it?
At mealtimes, when you’re eating other food and your mouth is producing a lot of saliva
First thing in the morning
Last thing before you go to sleep
Throughout the day, grazing on small amounts
Q.9
You’ve indulged in some sweet treats, but can’t brush until you get home. What’s the best way to protect your teeth in the meantime?
Eat a piece of cheese
Drink a glass of water
Pop in a breath mint
Munch a carrot
Q.10
Eating ice can cool you down on a hot day, but dentists warn that it’s bad for you. Why?
The intense cold can cause pain and nerve damage
It’s a choking hazard
It can make your jaw muscles sore
The mechanical action of crunching hard ice can damage fillings and even crack teeth