How well do you know your own teeth? Here are 11 facts about your teeth that may surprise you!
The Enamel on the surface of your tooth is the hardest part of your entire body.
It's true. Similar to the tissue that covers your bones, enamel is the tissue that covers your teeth. 96% of tooth enamel is comprised of tightly packed minerals, most of which is calcium phosphate, so it should come as no surprise that tooth enamel comes in first place for the hardest substance in the human body.
There is more bacteria in the average person’s mouth than there are people on Earth.
There's roughly 7.8 billion people on this planet, that's a lot of bacteria. It's not all bad though, some bacteria in your mouth are helpful and promote oral wellness. The bad guys though, like Streptococcus mutans, feed on sugary and starchy foods and can lead to gum disease and damage. Take this as another reminder to brush and floss regularly!
Taste buds die after 10 days and regenerate after 1-2 weeks.
Burned your tongue on that cup of coffee? Not to worry, while that hot beverage may have taken out some of your taste buds, new ones will regrow in their place in no time. In fact, your taste buds are dying and regrowing all on their own, regardless of how hot your coffee is. You may need to switch to iced coffee for a few days while they heal though.
2/3 of your entire tooth is under your gums.
Just like the Wizard of Oz, you do want to pay attention to the man behind the curtain. And below the gum line of your teeth are the roots which make up, you guessed it, 2/3 of your entire tooth. The root is responsible for anchoring your teeth to the jaw bone, holding them in place so you can chew all the wonderful food from the land of Oz, or wherever you get your food from.
Flossing cleans 35% of your tooth’s surface.
Have you been flossing lately? Studies show, probably not. More than 50% of Americans don't floss regularly and 20% don't floss at all. We all know how important flossing is, but you might not know that flossing actually cleans over 1/3 of your tooth's surface, and reaches places your brush cannot. You wouldn't leave 1/3 of your car unwashed, make sure to floss regularly.
73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss.
Flossing is not just a hip dance from your nephew's favorite video game, it's also one of the best ways to prevent gum disease, and keep your teeth clean and healthy. But it doesn't stop there. Studies have shown that mouth and gum health can lead to a lower risk for diabetes, stroke, as well as respiratory and heart diseases.
Tooth decay is the second most common disease, only surpassed by the common cold.
Also known as cavities, tooth decay sees more than 3 million cases in the United States per year. Tooth decay starts with loss of enamel on part of the tooth. As the enamel gets weakened, small holes begin to form which will need to be filled by your dentist. If not taken care of, tooth decay can lead to infection. The best prevention? Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings.
50% of people state a person’s smile is the first thing they notice about them.
Your favorite actor didn't wake up with that gorgeous smile, it took lots of hard work! In fact they were quoted as saying, "I brush twice a day and floss regularly, I also see my dentist for cleanings twice a year and try to avoid sugary foods and beverages when I can." They definitely said that. You can trust me, I'm a computer.
59% of people would rather go to a dental appointment than sit next to a person on the phone.
Score one for dental appointments. There are generally two parts to a dental appointment, the cleaning and the checkup. Dental professionals are able to identify issues such as tooth decay and gum disease and come up with a plan for treatment. Even if you aren't having these issues, professional cleaning of your teeth is one of the best ways to prevent them from happening in the future.
60% of adults are attracted to someone by their smile alone.
In our new world of social media and online dating, your smile is as important as ever. And while they should like you for you, having a nice smile certainly helps get your foot in the door. It would be repetitive to tell you to brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist, but I'm going to do it anyway. Brush and floss! See your dentist!
People spend an average of 38 days brushing their teeth over the course of a lifetime.
A small price to pay for a gorgeous smile. Plus, think of how many days you spend not brushing your teeth. It's important to note however, brushing your teeth for 38 days straight does not cover you for a lifetime.
