10 Little Known Facts About Your Mouth

Your teeth are pretty fascinating things. They’re hard and contain calcium, but they aren’t bones, and though they’re part of your body, they can’t heal themselves following an injury.  In fact, there’s a lot of cool things you may not have realized about them. Are you ready to study up on your smile?  Here are ten interesting facts about you may not have known about your teeth!

Tooth Enamel Toughness

The outside layer of your teeth is called the enamel. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, even harder than your bones! That comes in handy when you need to chew on tough or crunchy foods. But don’t crunch anything too hard with them! Though your enamel is tough, it wasn’t meant to open packages, bite fingernails, or chew on ice cubes.

Brushing for Days

Did you know that you spend an entire day each year brushing your teeth? At least you should be if you’re doing it right. To ensure that your teeth are properly cleaned, brush them at least twice a day, and aim for around two minutes each time.

Weird Wisdom

Wisdom teeth were very useful to our early ancestors, because they appeared in the late teens to replace molars worn down by primitive diets. But today, thanks to our smaller jaws and improved oral hygiene they are largely unnecessary, and in many cases problematic. Weirder still, did  you know that not everyone has four wisdom teeth? Some people only get one, while others can get up to six!

Bacteria Boom

The plaque that accumulates on your teeth doesn’t just make them look and feel dirty. It’s actually a haven for dangerous bacteria that can cause cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. In fact, the average mouth is host to about 300 different species of bacteria, making brushing and flossing even more important!

Saliva Stunner

Saliva doesn’t just keep your mouth hydrated. It washes away bits of food and plaque that could cause cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. But did you know you need a lot of it to keep things operating smoothly? In fact, over a lifetime you’ll probably produce about 10,000 gallons of it, or a quart every single day!

The Deal with Dentin

The layer of your teeth that lies just below the enamel is called the dentin. The dentin is comprised of many small channels and passageways that transmit nutrition and nerve signals throughout your teeth. There are three types of dentin: primary, secondary, and reparative, and unlike other parts of your teeth it continues to grow and change throughout your life.

Enamel Education

Unlike your dentin, your tooth enamel doesn’t change. In fact, it doesn’t heal, either. That’s why when you get a cavity, chip, crack or tooth decay your dentist must repair it with a filling or crown.

Toothpaste Topics

While you should never swallow toothpaste (always spit it out) many people don’t realize you shouldn’t rinse it off after brushing. Keeping it on your teeth can help keep beneficial fluoride on your teeth for a longer period, which will increase its effectiveness.

Fluoride Facts

While yes, you can have too much fluoride, fluoridated public water supplies don’t contain anywhere near enough for this to happen. As of 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recommended all public water supplies limit it to 0.7 milligrams per liter, while the Environmental Protection Agency has determined that 4.0 milligrams per liter is “too much” fluoride and can increase your risk of fluorosis, which could cause spots on your teeth over time.

Every Tooth is Unique

Just like your fingerprints, no two teeth are the same. Not only are each of your teeth unique to each other, but they are also unique to everyone else on earth. This is why forensic scientists often use bite patterns as evidence in crimes.

About Our Practice

At DeMartino Dental Group, Dr. DeMartino and Dr. Garcia-DeMartino are the dynamic husband and wife dental duo behind decades of smiles in the Phillipsburg area. Whether you need an exam and cleaning, a cosmetic procedure, or you’d like to restore your smile with the help of dental implants, we’re proud to help!

To schedule an appointment for any type of oral health care, please visit our website or call us today at 908-859-5260.