Interesting things about teeth and dentistry

Although going to the dentist is a relatively new habit, proofs show that people have been using toothpaste since around 500 B.C. The ancient Greeks would use a mixture of iron rust and coral powder to clean their teeth. As toothbrushes they would use brunches of tree twigs. Chewing on the tips of these tree twigs spread out the fibers, which were then used to clean the teeth. In 1873, Colgate released the first commercially prepared toothpaste, which had the minty taste we know today.

Bellow you will find some interesting things about your teeth. Premier Smiles likes to share new information with our patients.

• Human teeth can be compared with icebergs. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. The enamel is mostly made of calcium and phosphate, like your bones, but is stronger because of the specific proteins and crystallites that form it. You must also know that about two thirds of each tooth is underneath your gums. This is the reason why keeping your gums healthy is very important. Healthy gums are pink in color.
• There are 300 types of bacteria in your mouth. Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of 200 to 300 different species. The worse is Streptococcus mutans, which transform sugar and carbohydrates into the acids which eat your teeth and cause the decay.
• Plaque is the greatest enemy for your teeth. If you do not remove it regularly by brushing and flossing, it will cause tooth decay. Without proper care, the plaque turns into tartar.
• If you do not floss daily, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces.
• Your teeth are unique to each individual, just like fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have identical teeth. This is why dental records are sometimes used to identify human remains.
• Your body produces 10 000 gallons of saliva in a lifetime. Saliva plays an important role in your oral and general health. It makes food easier to swallow and contains enzymes that start the digestion process. Saliva is essential to good dental health because it washes food off the teeth, neutralizes acids in the mouth, fights germs and prevents bad breath.
• Nowadays, 35% of people are born without wisdom teeth. Most of us are encouraged to get them removed because our mouths are too small, and the other teeth could be affected. The wisdom-teeth helped our larger- jawed ancestors grind up roots, nuts and leaves. When our body no longer needs an organ or part of it, it eventually disappears. According to scientists, future generation will lack appendices, wisdom teeth, and maybe even little toes.
• Dental floss was first manufactured in 1882. If you floss once a day, you will use about 5 miles of floss over your lifetime.
• If you brush your teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time, you will brush your teeth for about 24 hours each year, or 76 days over the course of your life. All this brushing will use about 20 gallons of toothpaste. On average, Americans spend 38.5 days brushing their teeth over a lifetime.
• Do not forget to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. Everyone tongue’s print is unique.
• The average women smiles 62 times a day. The average man smiles about 8 times a day.
• The most valuable tooth belonged do Sir Isaac Newton. It was sold in London for today’s equivalent of $35,700. The tooth was set in a ring. (Guinness World Records 2002).

And let’s see now how can we clean our teeth in other ways. However this not means that you don’t have to brush, floss and regularly visit your dentist. Here are some simple and useful teeth-cleaning secrets in case you forgot to pack your toothbrush and toothpaste.

• Eat foods that scrub. Maintain healthy teeth by enjoying apples, carrots or celery.
• Look for cinnamon! Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that cinnamon-flavored gum reduces bacteria in your mouth.
• Drink tea. Some nutrients called flavonoids in tea help to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to your teeth. It also contains fluoride which strengthens teeth.
• Drink a lot of water. And with a lot of frequency (drink a glass of water at every hour). The more water you drink, the more bacteria you flush off your teeth and out of your mouth, which means less risk of gum disease, fresher breath and less tooth decay.

As a conclusion, teeth are a wonderful and unique part of our body. So we have to keep them clean if we want a healthy body for a lifetime. Do not forget to brush your teeth at least twice a day, do not forget to floss and do your regularly visits to your dentist.

For additional information or for regular check-ups, Dr. Arhiri and his staff are here to help. Give our dental office in Main Line Area a call to make an appointment: 610.647.7611.

Resources:

http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/things-you-didnt-know-about-your-teeth

http://www.childrensdentalvillage.net/patient/resources/interesting-facts/

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-your-teeth#1

http://www.deltadentaltn.com/MediaLibraries/Global/documents/Delta-Dental-Tooth-Tips-BF_1.pdf

http://mentalfloss.com/article/12830/can-you-handle-tooth-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-teeth

http://oddstuffmagazine.com/50-really-weird-facts-about-your-body.html

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/oral-health/6-unusual-ways-to-clean-your-teeth/