17 Interesting Facts About Human Teeth [Infographic]

1. Your Teeth Are Unique To You

You have a unique set of teeth, quite similar to your fingerprint. Out of 52 teeth you’ll have in your lifetime, every single one will be unique to the person.

This explains why it’s sometimes feasible to recognize human remains using dental information. Teeth are not identical in even identical twins. Your tongue also leaves a recognizable tongue print.

2. At Birth, Every Human Has 20 Baby Teeth Waiting To Erupt

Each human has 20 baby teeth present at birth, waiting to erupt. Were you aware that every baby tooth has a predetermined time for growth and loss. Once the baby tooth falls off, the permanent teeth erupt taking their place.

However, the baby tooth can fall off earlier due to some health issues, which is why it is essential to maintain proper dental hygiene, especially for kids. Maintaining the baby teeth helps ensure that the permanent teeth remain healthy and remain positioned correctly in the mouth as they erupt.

We encourage you to take your kids to the nearest dentists in the sunshine coast, especially when they reach the age of 3.

3. Your Teeth Cannot Heal On Their Own

The only body part that cannot heal itself is a tooth.  Therefore, even though your tooth enamel is a highly robust component of your body, it is crucial to take good care of it so that your smile can appear and feel healthy over time. According to a study by the American Family Physician, pulpal inflammation (frequently brought on by caries), damaged teeth, and trauma are the most frequent causes for people to contact a dentist outside of their routine checkups.

4. A Minimum Of 32 Permanent Teeth Are Found In Humans

Almost the majority of adults have 32 teeth that have been present since the time of their birth waiting to erupt. Some have two extra sets of molars known as the wisdom teeth. Were you aware that not everyone has wisdom teeth? Continue reading for more such fun facts about teeth.

5. Teeth Shapes Are Similar To Icebergs

Each tooth has a third of its structure below the gum line. Due to this, maintaining the health of your gums is just as crucial as maintaining the health of your teeth.

6. Healthier and Hygienic Teeth Are More Resistant to Decay

People who maintain good dental hygiene have the least to worry about cavities since the healthier the teeth, the more resistant they are to decay. While personal dental hygiene is quite essential, it is also crucial to visit your dentist periodically. They can help fix your dental issues before your teeth become prone to decay.

7. Ideally, Every Year, You Brush Your Teeth For Around One Day

The dentist advises four minutes of daily tooth brushing. They say brushing should take two minutes in the morning and at night. You will therefore end up brushing your teeth for a little over 24 hours per year, assuming a typical 365-day year.

8. Tooth Enamel Is The Hardest Element In The Human Body

The hardest element that your body produces is the enamel, which makes up the exterior covering of your teeth. Teeth are the only body part that cannot heal itself, despite having a robust outer coating.

9. Enamel Does Not Grow As Teeth Do On The Inside

Layered beneath the enamel, dentin is tougher than bone. Dentin is composed of tiny channels and routes that allow nutrients and nerve signals to pass through the teeth. There are three different kinds of tusks: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Dentin is continuously growing and changing throughout life, unlike enamel, which does not alter.

10. Teeth Can Appear Yellow Due To Changes In The Dentin

While foods, beverages, and other substances like tobacco can stain teeth, this is not the only way that your teeth’s colour can alter. Your tooth’s dentin, which is located beneath the enamel, can change colour as a result of certain procedures, including root canals.

When dentin’s colour has changed, it can penetrate your tooth’s enamel, giving the impression that it is darker.

11. If Your Teeth Can Sense Cold, They Are Alive

“Your teeth are “alive” because of the blood vessels and nerves that are located inside of them. If the nerve tissue in a tooth is injured and can no longer sense cold, it is said to be dead.  Dentists can question you about the type of pain you’re feeling if you experience it during testing to see if your teeth feel cold. They could also perform tests on painful teeth to identify the problem.

12. Fluoride Protects Teeth Against Tooth Decay

Fluoride, a mineral that occurs naturally, can help prevent  tooth decay. Regularly added fluoride is also found in toothpaste, mouthwash, and residential water. Fluoride levels in public drinking water in the US have dropped from 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per litre to 0.7 milligrams per litre since 2010.

Although the majority of white spots on teeth are medium to extremely mild, many individuals worry that exposure to excessive doses of fluoride can cause them. That does not, however, imply that exceeding the recommended level of fluoride in water should be done carelessly.

13. 10,000 Litres Of Spit Is Produced

A lifetime’s worth of saliva production amounts to roughly 10,000 gallons, or approximately a quart, per day. Various important functions of saliva are crucial to your general health. For instance, it makes swallowing easier and contains digestive enzymes to speed up digestion. Saliva removes food debris from your teeth and contains calcium and phosphate, both of which can neutralise the acids in plaque that erode tooth enamel and cause decay.

14. Teeth Are Not A Bone

Yes, here’s another fun fact about teeth that you can add to your list. Teeth are not bones. Although they are both composed of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals, bones differ in one way. They also have collagen, which gives bone the ability to withstand pressure. Teeth, as we have covered in this guide, are made from dentine which is covered by enamel. And teeth are considered the hardest part of the human body, stronger than bones.

15. The Force Behind A Tooth Bite is A 200 Lb Force

A grown person with adult teeth can allegedly bite with a force of up to 200 lbs, which is quite close to the bite force of a pit bull. Yes, your teeth are that strong. This might make you want to try your bite to rip open packets of food, but we wouldn’t recommend it. It could harm your teeth.

16. Plaque Can Comprise Nearly 300 Different Bacterial Species

Between 200 and 300 distinct bacterial species can be found in plaque. Even though not all of these bacteria are harmful to your teeth, one particular strain, Streptococcus mutans, is a major contributor to tooth decay.

17. Teeth Serve As A Sign Of General Health

Gingivitis affects one in seven adults between the ages of 35 and 44 and one in four over the age of 65. This could be a major issue because heart disease, stroke, and diabetes have been related to tooth decay and other dental issues. According to certain research, dental health is closely related to general health, and those who experience gingivitis more frequently are also more likely to experience cardiovascular illness and have babies who are underweight at birth.

Conclusion:

We have just seen some of the most interesting facts about teeth, aren’t they quite fascinating? Our teeth aid us in our ability to speak, chew, and, of course, smile. And it is often quite easy and simple to take these teeth for granted, but these 17 facts about teeth should give you a new perspective about your teeth.