The Dental Blog

What’s Your Dental Prevention Score?

Check the things you do to see how you score on effectiveness in preventing dental problems. Add 10 points for each yes.

1. Brush teeth thoroughly twice daily.
2. Floss between all teeth daily (at least 5-6 times a week).
3. Watch for sugar in diet, including hidden sugars, and consistently eat sugar 5 times per day or less.
4. Get professional cleanings at least twice a year, including dental x-rays once a year.
5. Get professional dental examinations twice a year, including video assisted examinations to discover decay under old fillings.
6. Use any additional home care devices as instructed, including tongue scraper, electric toothbrush, dental irrigator, super floss, floss threaders daily (minimum 5-6 times a week).
7. Use prescription strength fluoride, like Prevident, daily (minimum 5-6 times week).
8. Use chlorine dioxide containing toothpaste and mouth rinse, such as Oxygene, daily (minimum 5-6 times a week).
9. Weekly self-examination to watch for any sign of dental problems such as red, swollen or bleeding gums.
10. Make a self-examination to check for any signs of damage from tooth clenching or grinding, and make sure your dentist checks your teeth for bite problems once a year.

Give yourself 10 points for each yes answer.

100 = Perfect!
A score of 100 points is perfect. You are doing all you can to prevent dental problems.

70-90 = Above Average
A score of 70-90 means you are doing an above average job.

Below 70 = Add Additional Preventative Techniques
Under 70 means that you are relying too much on your natural resistance to keep you out of dental trouble. See what you can do to get more control of your dental health.