Your teeth help you eat a wide range of foods and show off an aesthetic smile you love. While you might not think too much about them, they are the reason you can enjoy your favorite meals. You should learn more about these seemingly simple structures to better appreciate them, so here are 10 facts to understand more about your oral health.
1.) Your Smile is Unique
Your grin and someone else’s are not exactly the same. You are showing off a one-of-a-kind smile that no one shares. In fact, they are so unique that dental records can identify people if need be.
2.) Teeth Are Similar to Icebergs
The part of a tooth you see is the crown, and it’s only about a third of the entire structure. Most of it is protected by your gums and held in place by your jawbone.
3.) People Typically Have 32 Teeth Total
Starting from the middle toward the back, people often have eight incisors, four molars, eight premolars, and twelve molars. But some people can be born with more or less than normal.
4.) The Hardest Substance Your Body Makes is Enamel
Your enamel is the outer layer of a tooth, but it’s the hardest substance your body can make. It’s made from calcium and phosphate that’s been arranged with proteins and crystallites that help it be sturdy and reliable.
5.) Enamel Isn’t Invincible
Despite being strong, it can still be damaged by hard foods or injury. Bacteria in your mouth can also erode it if they aren’t cleaned off.
6.) Enamel Isn’t Considered a Living Tissue
If your enamel is weakened or has a chip, then it can’t repair itself. There aren’t any nerves or cells in it, so nothing can deliver nutrients to it. However, you can remineralize it after it was dissolved by plaque with fluoride toothpaste.
7.) Enamel Can’t Grow, But Dentin Can
Although your enamel can’t grow back chips, the dentin underneath it can grow and change. It has small channels that go to the tooth’s nerve and deliver nutrients.
8.) You Have About 300 Different Bacteria in Your Mouth
Your oral microbiome is home to about 200 to 300 types of bacteria. Not all of them are bad, and plenty can do good, like probiotics. The main one that causes cavities and decay is Streptococcus mutans. It produces enamel-dissolving acid when it eats sugar.
9.) Yellow Tints Aren’t Always Stains
While a yellow look can be stains from dark-colored foods and drinks, they aren’t the only cause of this discoloration. Thinned enamel can let the dentin peek through, which is this color. So, this might be a sign your teeth need some reinforcing.
10.) You Make About 10,000 Gallons of Saliva in a Lifetime.
On average, a person produces a quart of saliva every day. Spread this over a lifetime, and that’s thousands of gallons. It might seem gross, but it’s essential for washing away harmful bacteria and strengthening your enamel. That way, your teeth stay the best they deserve to be.
About the Author
Dr. Vrajesh Shah earned his dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry and later specialized in prosthodontics right after in the same school! With over 20 years of experience, he is happy to help the Edison community get the stronger smiles they deserve with preventive care. By having checkups and cleanings, Dr. Shah can help you avoid a wide range of oral health issues. If it’s time for your next semi-annual visit, schedule an appointment or call his office at (732) 943-1709.