Taking care of your teeth is vital to maintaining dental health and a beautiful, confident smile. We’re fortunate enough to live in an age where dental care is easier than ever before. In addition to home oral care tools and techniques, we have highly experienced, qualified dental professionals like Dr. Hansen in Las Vegas to help. Modern tools and technologies make it possible to quickly detect and correct a range of dental health concerns, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth alignment issues.
You know dental care is essential, but how much do you really know about your pearly whites? Here are seven fascinating facts about human teeth.
1. You’re Born with All Of Your Teeth
When you’re born, you have 20 baby teeth waiting just below the gumline. The first ones will emerge between six and 12 months (sometimes sooner). Eventually, they’ll become loose and fall out. Your adult teeth are ready and waiting underneath, too. Children who lose a baby tooth too early may need a space maintainer to keep the space open for the adult tooth underneath.
2. Your Teeth Are Like Fingerprints
Like your fingerprints, your teeth are unlike anyone else’s. Each baby tooth and adult tooth has a unique character. That’s why dental records may serve as a form of identification!
3. Tooth Enamel Is the Hardest Substance In the Human Body
Many people mistakenly believe that bones are the hardest substance in the human body or that teeth and bones are the same. Well, your teeth (more specifically, your enamel) aren’t bones, and they’re actually the hardest substance in your body.
4. Your Teeth Can’t Repair Themselves
Your teeth are strong. Adults have a bite force of approximately 200 pounds. That could be why you sometimes see people using their teeth as tools. While convenient, that’s also dangerous. Your teeth might be strong, but they aren’t indestructible, nor can they repair themselves. Cracks, chips, and decay cause permanent damage. Visiting a dentist regularly for cleanings and exams can help you to prevent, detect, and treat issues like decay so that you avoid more serious complications later.
5. The Gums Play an Essential Role in Keeping Your Teeth Healthy
The gum tissue around your teeth plays a vital role in your dental health. It protects the roots of your teeth, keeping debris and bacteria away. Gum disease causes the soft tissue to swell and pull away from your teeth, allowing food particles and bacteria to fall between your teeth and gums.
Over time, your gums start to recede too, which can lead to other issues like sensitivity and infections. Your teeth may even become loose and fall out. Regular oral care and routine dental visits are vital for preventing gum disease.
6. Healthy Teeth Resist Decay More Effectively
Brushing, flossing, and regular professional dental care help to remove plaque, bacteria, and other debris from the surfaces of your teeth. Along with preventing dental health issues, this care also helps your teeth resist decay more effectively.
7. Modern Humans Aren’t the Only Ones to Care About Dental Health
The idea of dental care has been around for a while. There’s evidence that people living before 5000 BC were chewing on twigs to clean their teeth. Later, ancient Egyptians used a combination of crushed eggshells and horse hooves, while Greeks used rust and charcoal. The first “toothbrushes” weren’t a thing until the 1700s. Modern toothbrushes arrived around the 1930s.
Protect Your Teeth and Keep Them Healthy
So, how many of these facts about teeth did you know? Learning more about your teeth and how incredible they are can help you develop a deeper appreciation for them. You may also find a little extra motivation to keep them healthy with regular brushing and flossing. Are you looking for professional cleanings, exams, or orthodontic care? Dr. Hansen of Las Vegas I here to help. Visit us today to schedule your free consultation!