We rely on our teeth every day, but there might be a few things you never knew about them. Here are 10 little known facts about our teeth – a few of them might surprise you!
1. Our teeth are the strongest part of our body
Tooth enamel (the ‘casing’ around our teeth) is the hardest substance in our whole body. Its solid strength and resistance enables us to chew and break down the foods we eat. But although it’s resistant, enamel can be damaged. Fizzy drinks and sugary foods are a top culprit for acid erosion, so steer clear of these villains to keep your enamel in tip top condition.
2. No two sets of teeth are the same
Just like your fingerprints, your teeth are unique. You’ll never find two people with exactly the same teeth, which is why dental records are often used to identify bodies in forensic investigations.
3. Your teeth get sensitive because of dentin exposure
If you have sensitive teeth, you’re not alone; it’s a very common problem. Most of us experience sensitivity when we eat or drink something very hot or cold. The pain you feel with sensitive teeth is the result of exposed dentin (the part of the tooth that holds all the nerves and blood vessels). You can prevent sensitivity by using special toothpastes, avoiding acidic foods and drinks (that means stepping away from the wine!) and wearing a mouth guard at night to put tooth-grinding to rest.
4. Chewing gum is good for your teeth
We all know why it’s important to brush our teeth, but have you ever thought about the benefits of chewing gum? Chewing sugar-free gum after eating neutralises harmful acids and helps to wash away pesky bits of food debris. But be careful – this only works with sugar free gum!
5. You can get your wisdom teeth at any time
Our wisdom teeth are the last to develop and are also known as the third molars. They pop up in most people between the ages of 16 and 25, but this isn’t set in stone. Some people reach the age of 30 without even seeing the first sign of a wisdom tooth, while others have a complete set much earlier. And some people never get them at all!
6. Strawberries can whiten your teeth
Strawberries are more than a delicious summer treat. They contain a natural whitening agent called malic acid, which helps to keep your teeth effortlessly sparkly. Make your own whitening treatment by mixing a crushed up strawberry with baking soda and spread it onto your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Brush it off five minutes later and rinse your mouth with water. Then you’ll have a whiter smile to show off.
7. There are 300 types of bacteria in your mouth
If you analyse a sample of your saliva, you’d find loads of bacteria strains. This might sound disgusting, but they’re not all bad and some are good for your oral health. That said, there are still harmful bacteria lurking around in there, so be sure to brush and floss every day to help keep the bad bacteria away.
8. Bleeding gums are not normal
If you notice your gums bleeding when you brush your teeth, it’s important to go to your dentist. You wouldn’t ignore bleeding from any other part of your body, so why ignore bleeding gums? It is one of the first signs of gum disease, which can damage the supportive bone structure underneath your gums, eventually causing your teeth to become loose. Stick to your regular check-ups and keep an eye out for those potential warning signs to keep ghastly gum disease at bay.
9. How often you eat sugary foods is more important than the amount of sugar you eat
When it comes to our dental health, how often we snack on sugar is even more important then the amount we actually eat. This is because bacteria in our mouths release harmful acids that attack the tooth enamel when we eat, but it takes time for the enamel to recover after these attacks. So if you’re constantly grazing on sugary sweets throughout the day, your teeth are under constant attack. If you do fancy a sweet treat, try to limit them to mealtimes only. It’s also a good idea to sip fizzy drinks through a straw and drink water after eating to wash away sugary debris.
10. Your teeth can tell you a lot about your general health
Gum disease is a very common problem and is often linked to other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke. This is to do with inflammation in the body trying to fight the bacteria, causing it to have an effect on other parts of the body. The chances are if your teeth aren’t healthy, other parts of you might not be at their best either so it’s important to see your dentist and make sure gum disease is put in its place as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: This article is contributed by a Guest Blogger. Ping of Health does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. Ping of Health disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
