You use your teeth every single day, but you may not think about it all that often. When it comes to speaking, chewing your food, and even holding saliva in your mouth, it would certainly be a struggle without having your beautiful pearly whites there to help you out. However, there are a bunch of things about your teeth that you probably don’t already know. Continue reading to learn some interesting facts about your teeth from your dentist in Stephens City.
Your Smile Is One-of-a-Kind
Just like your fingerprints, your teeth are one-of-a-kind. In fact, dental records are sometimes used to identify human remains and even solve crimes! Even if you have an identical twin, there are bound to be some differences between the two of you. Your tongue print is also completely unique from any other.
You Have 32 of Them
If you haven’t lost any adult teeth or had them extracted by a dentist, chances are that you have 32 of them. If you’ve had your wisdom teeth taken out, you’re looking at 28. This is a big step up from your 20 baby teeth. A full set of adult teeth include eight incisors, four canines, and 12 molars. That’s a lot of teeth!
Enamel Is the Strongest Part of Your Body
The outer layer of your teeth is known as the enamel. This has a primary purpose of protecting the other layers of your teeth so that you don’t have to deal with injury and decay. Just like your bone, enamel is made primarily from calcium and phosphate. However, it is even stronger because of the specific proteins and crystallites that form it.
Your Teeth are Like Icebergs
Even though you can see a lot of your teeth when you smile, a significant portion of them cannot be seen. This is because approximately 1/3 of each of your teeth is underneath the gums. This is why it’s so important that you take steps to keep your gums healthy.
You Make a Lot of Saliva
The average person produces about a quart of saliva every single day. In an entire lifetime, this adds up to about 10,000 gallons! Saliva is necessary in order to wash away food and bacteria, neutralize harmful acids, and jumpstart the process of digestion.
The Mouth Is Full of Bacteria
The plaque that builds up on your teeth is filled with millions of bacteria. It is made up of anywhere between 200 to 300 species. However, the one that is often times responsible for oral health issues is called Streptococcus mutans. This converts sugar and other carbs into acid which eats away at your teeth.
Without your teeth, you would find everyday activities much more difficult. By maintaining excellent oral hygiene and seeing your dentist for a cleaning and checkup every six months, you’ll be well on your way to maintaining strong, healthy teeth!
About the Author
Dr. Thomas A. Gromling is an experienced dentist whose career in the field spans nearly 40 years so far! He is committed to regularly participating in continuing education courses and is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the Virginia Dental Association. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (540) 869-4377.