Amazing Trivia About Teeth
Teeth. We brush and floss them daily because they work hard for us! Human teeth bite and chew food, as the first part of our digestive system. They also help us enunciate and pronounce words, and as part of our mouth, teeth contribute to emotional expressions. Furthermore, a person’s smile (and teeth) are statistically the second trait people notice about us, next to our eyes. People with a gorgeous smile are considered more intelligent, friendly, and successful, according to an AACD poll. So our teeth matter…a lot.
How much do you actually know about those teeth that serve you well? In today’s blog, you’ll learn some awesome trivia about our 32 pearly whites.
Tooth Enamel
In addition to being the strongest substance in the human body, tooth enamel is the second-hardest natural substance on the planet!
Fluoride and calcium make teeth strong and hard. Fluoride is a sensational mineral because it actually attracts other minerals to strengthen enamel.
Acid produced by bacteria feeding on starches in our mouths leeches calcium and fluoride out of our teeth. When this happens, enamel softens. Saliva contains minerals to help harden soft enamel, and fluoride attracts nutritious minerals, as well.
Cavities
Soft enamel is prone to bacterial invasion! When bad bacteria eat away a tooth, a cavity develops. Cavities are also called tooth decay, or clinically, dental caries.
The most common childhood disease, tooth decay, keeps kids out of school and parents home from work. Simply brushing and flossing teeth, using a fluoridated toothpaste, and drinking pure water throughout the day help deter cavities. Dentists also offer fluoride rinses and dental sealants to stop decay from forming.
Smiles
For better or worse, people judge others, to some degree, by the way they look.
Women smile about 62 times a day. Men smile about 8 times a day.
60% of adults base their romantic attraction solely on a person’s smile.
Smiling is contagious in that the action actually makes other people smile.
Fake smiling fools our bodies into producing the happy hormones, including dopamine and serotonin. When you’re feeling sad or mad, force a smile and the good vibes will follow!
Oral Bacteria
Did you know there are more bacteria in YOUR mouth than there are people on the earth? That’s a lot of germs! Some bacteria are healthy, while others cause damage.
Streptococcus mutans, or S. mutans, is a villain. This bacteria contributes to tooth decay, gum disease, and infective endocarditis (IE). This last disease involves hardening of the arteries and can be fatal.
Tastebuds
Your tongue holds 2-4000 taste buds. Each one lives about 10 days. It takes a few weeks for a tastebud to be replaced.
Tastebuds identify five types of flavors in specific regions of the tongue: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory).
Dentist Required
As the only body part that cannot heal naturally, teeth require dental treatment for repair and restoration.
Hidden Roots
Only ⅓ of a tooth shows above the gumline. This third is called the crown. Another ⅔ resides beneath the gums, in a socket within the jaw. Connective tissues hold teeth in place by the roots. Teeth roots do not have a protective enamel coating like the crowns.
Gum disease can progress to below the gum line, where bacteria lodge on rough areas of teeth roots. There, the infection destroys connective tissues. Acute periodontitis, the final stage of gum disease, is responsible for most adult tooth loss in the United States.
Don’t Floss?
More than half of dental patients admit that they don’t floss. How many more don’t admit it? Another poll showed that 73% of us would rather grocery shop than floss our teeth.
If you do not floss daily, you’ll neglect about 35% of each tooth’s surface. Plaque, which constantly develops in your mouth, calcifies into tartar over 48 hours. Also called calculus, tartar isn’t water soluble, so it must be scraped off. Note also that plaque and tartar cause gum disease.
Systemic Connection
Your mouth allows things to enter your body. While nutritious foods and medications are helpful when ingested, bad bacteria and toxic substances will harm your systemic health. Research shows that heart disease, diabetes complications, respiratory conditions, cognitive diseases, and low-weight birth are of greater risk to people with gum disease. One study found that poor oral health impacts 90% of systemic diseases.
Do Your Teeth Need to Move?
At Harmony Orthodontics, Dr. Wint Tun offers a diverse selection of orthodontic treatment options for children, teens, and adults. Call 832-699-3683 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Tun to learn whether orthodontic treatment will improve your oral function and appearance.