Surprising facts about teeth you probably didn’t know

• Some babies are born with teeth
• Braces are cooler than ever before
• Your teeth are uniquely yours
• We use four different types of teeth
• You have 32 of them
• Some people lose teeth throughout their lives
• Not everyone loses their baby teeth
• We only get two sets of teeth
• Not all cultures consider straight teeth the beauty ideal
• Candy is better for your teeth than raisins
• Humans will evolve past wisdom teeth
• They’re a bit like icebergs
• The enamel is the hardest part of your body
• It isn’t invincible
• Signs of decay
• Dentin grows, enamel doesn’t
• Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria
• A tooth can’t heal itself
• Plaque is the enemy
• We spend many days brushing our teeth
• We don’t brush our teeth enough
• Teeth can tell stories about you
• Put your teeth in milk
• The blueprint for your teeth is present the day you’re born
• You produce a lot of saliva
• There are diseases linked to your oral health
• Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as brushing the parts you see

Apart from the aesthetics of a beautiful smile, teeth are also a very important part of your body. Without your teeth, you wouldn’t be able to eat the food you love, or talk to people. We all know that seeing your dentist, flossing, and brushing your teeth regularly will keep them healthy. But how well do you actually know your pearly whites? From modern braces to the strength of your teeth, you’d be surprised to know how important they actually are.

Check out the following gallery to discover how truly remarkable your teeth are. Click on!

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Some babies are born with teeth

About one in every 2,000 babies is born with natal teeth. This means their first dentist appointment is only a few days after birth. Natal teeth usually grow on the bottom gums and tend to have weak roots. They’re often removed to prevent problems with breastfeeding or accidental swallowing.

Braces are cooler than ever before

Back in the days, the most creative thing you could do with braces was to choose the color of their rubber bands. Today’s options include Invisalign, or lingual braces hidden along the inside of your teeth.

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Your teeth are uniquely yours

Just like fingerprints, your teeth are also unique. No two sets are the same. This is why dental records are sometimes used to identify human remains.

We use four different types of teeth

Humans use four different types of teeth to cut, chew, and grind their food. These teeth are the incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

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You have 32 of them

From your front teeth to the back of your mouth, you have eight incisors, which are eight incisors, four canine teeth, eight premolars, and 12 molars.

Some people lose teeth throughout their lives

People with hyperdontia have extra, or supernumerary, teeth. These will remain hidden below the gum line, but occasionally erupt and crowd other teeth. When this happens, a dentist can remove them, or an orthodontist can straighten all of them out with braces.

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Not everyone loses their baby teeth

By age three, the average child has a full set of 20 temporary teeth. These will eventually loosen and fall as the permanent teeth below start to erupt. However, if a person doesn’t have a replacement permanent tooth, the baby teeth will stay in place.

We only get two sets of teeth

Humans only have two sets of teeth to last them their entire lifetime. Once you have all your permanent teeth, make sure you look after them.

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Not all cultures consider straight teeth the beauty ideal

Straight white teeth might seem universally appealing, but that’s not the case everywhere. In Japan, a fanged look, called yaeba, is so admired that some women get crooked veneers. They believe it will make them look younger and more adorable.

Candy is better for your teeth than raisins

This might be surprising, but some treats are more likely to cause cavities. Ditch foods that get stuck in your teeth, such as fruit snacks, chips, and bread, and opt for those that dissolve quickly.

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Humans will evolve past wisdom teeth

A third set of molars helped our larger-jawed ancestors chew on roots, nuts, and leaves. But today, 35% of people are born without wisdom teeth. And the ones who have them are often encouraged to get them removed. This is because our mouths are too small for them.

They’re a bit like icebergs

About a third of each tooth is underneath your gums. This is why it’s important to keep your gums healthy. Your gums should always be firm.

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The enamel is the hardest part of your body

The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth, and it’s even stronger than your bones. Its main purpose is to protect the rest of the tooth. It’s mostly made of calcium and phosphate.

It isn’t invincible

However, even if the enamel is there to protect your teeth, it can still chip or crack. Plus, it isn’t safe from decay. Sugars and acids, like those found in soft drinks, interact with bacteria in your mouth and attack your enamel, which is the start of tooth decay.

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Signs of decay

Enamel is partly responsible for your teeth’s white appearance. So when they turn yellow, it’s probably a sign of decay. Decaying enamel could also be to blame for any pain you experience.

Dentin grows, enamel doesn’t

Dentin is the layer that lies beneath the enamel. It’s made up of small channels and passageways that transmit nerve signals and nutrition through the tooth. While the enamel is static, dentin continues to grow throughout your life.

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Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria

Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of around 300 different species. Remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash to kill them.

A tooth can’t heal itself

The teeth are the only part of the human body that can’t repair themselves. Teeth can’t regrow what was lost or replace it with scar tissue.

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Plaque is the enemy

Constantly growing, if you don’t regularly brush or floss, plaque can cause tooth decay. Without removal, plaque hardens and develops into tartar. Don’t forget to see your dentist for regular cleanings.

We spend many days brushing our teeth

An average person spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth over their lifetime. Remember, when you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque.

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We don’t brush our teeth enough

Even if it seems like we spend a lot of time brushing our teeth, it’s still not enough. On average, a person spends only about 48 seconds brushing. Dentists recommend spending at least two minutes to achieve a clean mouth.

Teeth can tell stories about you

Scientists can tell a great deal about us just by examining our teeth. They reveal how old we are, what we eat and drink, and even where on Earth we have lived.

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Put your teeth in milk

If you get a tooth knocked out, put it in milk and put it back in the socket. This will help your tooth survive longer. But make sure you see a dentist right away.

The blueprint for your teeth is present the day you’re born

When babies are born, the crowns of their first 20 teeth are already in place under the gums. Waiting for the right time to break through, the teeth start appearing sometime between three to six months of age.

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You produce a lot of saliva

In a lifetime, your mouth produces enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Saliva plays many important roles in your overall health. For teeth, it washes away lingering food particles. It also contains calcium and phosphate, which can neutralize the acids in plaque that cause damage and decay.

There are diseases linked to your oral health

Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

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Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as brushing the parts you see

We’re easily able to each the tops and sides of our teeth when we brush. But the surfaces between need proper cleaning, too. This area makes up a significant part of our tooth enamel, so it’s important to keep it clean and healthy.

Sources: (Healthline) (Mental Floss)

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