Fun Facts About Your Teeth

0
Fun Facts About Your Teeth

Your teeth say a lot about you, but how much do you really know about them? Sure, your teeth help you chew food, pronounce words, and make a great first impression, but what other secrets do your teeth have? These fun facts about your teeth may surprise you!

Most of Your Tooth Is Hidden

The majority of your tooth is not visible, even when you smile. You only see the crown of your tooth, which is the top third. The rest of the tooth, which includes its roots, is beneath the gumline and can’t be seen, which is a good thing considering that your gums protect your teeth from bacteria and help keep them secure in your jaw.

Your Tooth Enamel Is Harder Than Steel

Tooth enamel is the hardest biological material. It’s even harder than steel! However, tooth enamel is more brittle than this popular metal, which explains why teeth can’t be scratched but can be chipped or broken, which makes it essential to protect your teeth and use them wisely [1].

No One in the World Has Teeth Like You

Your teeth are like a fingerprint and are unique to you and part of what make you special. This is also why forensic scientists can use dental records to identify bodies or remains. The hard nature of tooth enamel means your teeth are the last thing to decompose when you die, which makes dental identification effective [2].

Your Teeth Contain Stem Cells

Stem cells exist in dental tissues, including teeth and periodontal ligaments. It’s possible to harvest and store dental stem cells for future use. These cells are generally harvested and isolated from the tooth’s pulp, so you’d need to have wisdom teeth or another tooth removed before accessing them [3].

Everyone Has Four Types of Teeth

You have four types of teeth in your mouth—incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, which also include wisdom teeth. Each of these teeth has a specific purpose—and, not surprisingly, all have to do with food. Incisors are to help bite into food, while canines are more for tearing food. Premolars are smaller than molars and can help crush food, while molars help grind up food.

You Had Teeth Before You Were Born

Primary teeth, or baby teeth, actually start to develop in the first six weeks from conception, while permanent teeth begin to grow at around three to four months of pregnancy [4]. Although babies don’t have any visible teeth when they are born, tiny baby teeth will begin to come through the gums around the age of six months to one year.

Want to Know More About Your Smile? See Your Dentist

Your dentist can help you identify areas you miss when brushing, conduct an oral cancer screening, and even spot the signs of an early cavity to protect your smile. Find out more about your beautiful smile by contacting your dentist today!

Sources:
1. https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-hard-is-tooth-enamel-compared-
to-other-materials/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4541412/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606625/
4. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-and-development-of-
the-mouth-and-teeth-90-P01872

Summary
Article Name
Fun Facts About Your Teeth
Description
Your teeth say a lot about you, but how much do you really know about them? Sure, your teeth help you chew food, pronounce words, and make a great first impression, but what other secrets do your teeth have? These fun facts about your teeth may surprise you!
Author
Aldie Family & Cosmetic Dentistry