Teeth are not only functionally necessary so you can eat and talk, but a charming smile has an undeniable impact on your overall appearance. The more you know about your teeth, the easier it is to stay motivated with your oral health habits so you can maintain healthy teeth that last a lifetime.
How often do you think about your teeth? At myDental, we often have patients who are interested in learning more about dental health, as well as fun facts about teeth. Sometimes, our staff will hear questions such as “What are 3 interesting facts about teeth?” or “what is the most interesting dental fact that you know?”
We enjoy sharing these fun facts about dentists and teeth during your appointment, then these random facts can be shared with family and friends.
Here are a few did-you-know facts about dental health and your smile:
Babies Start with 20 Primary Teeth
In the early stages of life, humans are born with 20 baby teeth. These teeth are positioned under the gumline, then start to grow in as the infant gets older. Baby teeth grow in at predetermined times, then eventually fall out when the permanent teeth grow in.
Usually, the first baby teeth pop up between the age of 6 – 12 months. Parents know when their child is teething because the baby starts to get cranky and feverish.
It’s normal for baby teeth to fall out on their own. Even though these baby teeth will eventually fall out, it’s smart to maintain regular dental appointments starting within the first few years of life.
Adults Have 32 Permanent Teeth
Other fun facts about teeth are that 32 permanent teeth grow in to replace the baby teeth. Plus, many people have an extra set of molars in the back resulting in 34 adult teeth in total! Often, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for these molars, so your dentist might recommend a tooth extraction to remove the unnecessary molars.
Early intervention to remove adult molars can minimize complications due to impacted teeth or crowding that causes dental misalignment with the rest of the teeth.
Teeth Aren’t Bones
Don’t be fooled: teeth aren’t bones! There are many similarities between teeth and bones because they contain nerves and blood vessels and are made up of calcium primarily.
But as you are learning these fun facts about teeth, you will see that the main difference between bones and teeth is that bones produce bone marrow and teeth don’t. So, teeth are in their own category and are not considered to be bones.
The truth is that teeth are made up of 96% minerals, making them harder than bones. Teeth are the hardest substance in the body!
Bite Force Up to 200 Lbs
The teeth must take a lot of force throughout the day. When you bite down, the force can be as high as 200 lbs – which is a lot of power!
One of the interesting and fun facts about teeth is that the strength of a human bite force compares to the strength of a pitbull bite, which is a little higher at 235 lbs of bite force.
But just because you have a strong bite force, doesn’t mean that your teeth can be used as tools. Many people use the teeth to bite their nails or open bags. But these habits can cause damage to the teeth in the long run.
Teeth Can’t Regrow
One of the most interesting facts about teeth that everyone needs to know is that the teeth can’t regrow. Even though other parts of the body can heal and repair after an accident or injury, teeth don’t have the ability to fix themselves.
So, when a tooth is decayed or broken, the only way to repair it is by visiting the dentist. If you leave the decay untreated, it will continue to spread and can lead to complications in the future.
What is the Secret to Healthy Teeth?
You want to maintain a healthy smile, and it all starts with your daily habits at home. The best thing you can do is learn and implement facts about brushing your teeth to keep them clean and heathy, helping to avoid dental issues in the future.
These are the most important facts about brushing your teeth that you need to know:
- For best results, aways brush for 2 – 3 minutes
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to protect against tooth decay
- Floss your teeth daily… otherwise you are not cleaning 40 of your tooth surfaces
Call myDental for an Appointment
At myDental, we offer a range of dental services for the whole family. We invite you to book an appointment at one of our nearby locations.