Teeth are a very important part of your body. Without your teeth, you would not be able to smile, eat the food you love, or talk to people. We all know that seeing your dentist and brushing your teeth regularly will keep your teeth healthy, but do you know these fun facts?
1. Every Tooth Is Unique
Your teeth are uniquely yours. Like a fingerprint, every person’s teeth align in a different way. Your teeth are different from everyone else’s teeth, which is why teeth can be a vital resource in forensic science.
From the 20 baby teeth we have as children to the 32 adult teeth that serve us far into our lifetime, no tooth looks exactly the same. The shape and size of a tooth are individual to you, just as no snowflake has the same shape.
2. Enamel Is the Hardest Part of Your Body
Teeth have several layers, but the substance that guards your teeth and keeps them strong is called enamel. Enamel is a hard calcified cover that surrounds and protects your teeth. It is the hardest material in your body, even stronger than your bones. That strength is an impressive quality of enamel. It protects your teeth against acidic substances and keeps your teeth durable so they do not chip or break easily.
You want to keep up with your regular dentist visits and practice good oral hygiene between appointments because enamel cannot heal itself if it gets worn away or damaged. You need to take care of your enamel so you can have a strong smile for a long time.
3. Your Teeth Are Determined at Birth
Babies have their first teeth ready before they are born. When you arrive into the world, your 20 baby teeth are already in place under your gums until they are ready to breakthrough. Baby teeth typically start to come in when a child is around 6 months old.
Adult teeth form throughout early childhood until they first appear around ages 6 years old to 8 years old, but some adult teeth do not come in until a person is in their 20s.
4. Enamel Does Not Grow
The enamel on your teeth now is what you have to take care of. Many substances can weaken enamel, and it cannot heal itself.
You want strong teeth so you can chew food without worrying about your teeth breaking or chipping. Protect the strong covering on your teeth by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day and cleaning in between your teeth.
5. Teeth Are Like Icebergs
It is essential to keep your gums clean and healthy because most of your teeth are under your gums. Like an iceberg, a small portion of a tooth is visible above the surface. But underneath is a large piece of the tooth your gums protect.
A good preventative care routine means you’ll ultimately spend less time in the dentist’s chair, more time smiling, and less time in pain. And an essential part of good oral hygiene is having regular cleanings and checkups at Bulleen Plaza Dental. Even if it’s been a while since you’ve seen us, there’s no time to wait when it comes to dental health. Call us at 03 9852 2234 or schedule an appointment online today!