You use your teeth every day to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Daily life would be made much more challenging without them. Despite this, you probably don’t think about your teeth all that often. Dental care has advanced significantly in the last century, and we’ve learned a lot about teeth that we didn’t already know. Read on to learn some interesting facts about teeth that might come as a surprise.
Your Smile Is Entirely Unique!
Just like your fingerprints, there isn’t anyone else in the world who has a smile just like yours. Even if you have an identical twin, there are going to be some differences to distinguish your smiles from each other’s. That’s why dental records can be used to identify human remains and even solve crimes. Your tongue also has a print that is completely unique to you.
You Get More Teeth as an Adult
As a child, you start out with 20 primary teeth. However, as your permanent teeth erupt, you gain several more to fill your adult mouth. If you haven’t had any permanent teeth fall out or extracted, you most likely have 32 teeth in total. If you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed, you are looking at 28.
Your Enamel Doesn’t Grow Back
Broken skin can heal, nails and hair grow back, and fractured bones can repair themselves, but tooth enamel cannot regrow. Since it isn’t living tissue, it cannot be regenerated. That’s why it’s so important that you take steps now to keep your enamel strong and healthy!
Teeth Are Like Icebergs
When you smile in the mirror, you are only seeing the surface of your teeth. In fact, about a third of each of your teeth is underneath the gum tissue. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that your gums are in good health. They should be pink and firm.
You Make Lots of Saliva
Every single day, your body produces about a quart of saliva. When you add it all up, you make approximately 10,000 gallons in a lifetime. This is enough to fill a small swimming pool. Saliva makes it easier for you to swallow food, and it contains enzymes that jumpstart digestion. It also helps to wash away food particles and neutralize harmful acids in the mouth.
Not All Oral Bacteria Is Bad
The plaque in your mouth is home to about 200 to 300 different species of bacteria. The one that is usually the culprit for poor tooth health is called Streptococcus mutans. This concerts sugar into acids which eat away at your teeth. However, there are some species of bacteria to have actually shown to be helpful. For instance, a group of helpful bacteria called lactobacilli can fight several kinds of bacteria and may help restore a healthy balance in your mouth. Good bacteria in your saliva can also help break apart proteins and sugars, making for quicker and more effective digestion.
Your smile is an interesting place, and it pays to keep it in good condition. By maintaining an excellent oral hygiene regimen and seeing your dentist for regular checkups, you can keep your pearly whites in great shape for many years to come.
About the Practice
At Brooklyn City Dental, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients in the Brooklyn community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (718) 725-7732.