Your teeth help you chew, smile, and speak, but besides their usual functions, did you know that you can learn a thing or two about them when you visit the best dentist in Knoxville, IL?
Dental visits don’t just involve drilling your teeth, filling cavities, and cleaning and polishing to keep your smile bright. Dentists often share their knowledge and insight so you can learn interesting facts about your teeth.
Tooth Truths That Will Shock You
Your Toothbrush Isn’t Your First Line of Defense
When you think about teeth protection, what's the first thing that comes to mind? If it’s your trusty toothbrush, you’re wrong. While your toothbrush and dental floss can help protect your teeth against decay and cavities, the first line of defense is not what you put in your mouth but what’s already inside. Did you know that your saliva is a natural cavity fighter?
A study published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology found that your saliva is powerful enough to fight cavities and tooth decay. Some components of saliva can combat Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that causes cavities.
Dental Care Has Been Around for a Long Time
Did you know that people have used toothpaste to keep their teeth clean since 500 B.C.? But it’s not the usual toothpaste you use today. In the olden days, the ancient Greeks would mix coral powder and iron rust to keep their teeth clean.
Meanwhile, instead of toothbrushes, people chewed on tree twigs. Dental care underwent a massive evolution, and today, we have plenty of options and tools to keep our teeth strong and healthy.
Your Teeth Are Unique
Your teeth are yours and yours alone. Even if you have an identical twin, your teeth are still uniquely yours. This explains why investigators search for dental records to identify human remains.
Teeth Are Like Icebergs
Icebergs are colossal. These are chunks of ice that are visible above the water. But did you know that most of an iceberg’s structure is below the water’s surface? Your teeth are like icebergs because one-third of each tooth is beneath the gum line. For this reason, dentists emphasize the importance of keeping your gums healthy.
You Have 32 Teeth
How many teeth do you have now? Humans have 20 primary teeth and 32 permanent teeth. You have eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll have 32 teeth forever.
Throughout your lifetime, some of your permanent teeth could get damaged and need to be manually extracted or fall off on their own. Not to worry, if you ever lose your teeth, your dentist can always replace them with natural-looking artificial teeth like dentures, bridges, or dental implants.
Your Enamel Is the Hardest Tissue in Your Body
Here’s a surprising fact, did you know that your enamel is the hardest tissue in your body? The enamel is the outermost layer of your tooth, and it functions to protect it. It’s composed of phosphate and calcium, just like your bones, but they’re much stronger.
Despite how strong they are, your teeth are not invincible. If you fail to care for them, they could crack, chip, or become brittle due to decay.
See the Best Dentist in Knoxville, IL
Your teeth are one of your greatest assets. To keep your smile looking beautiful, you should take care of it. At Smalltown Dental, we aim to make you feel relaxed while getting the dental care you need. Our team has years of training and experience to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Contact us today to learn more.
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