Our teeth function as a ‘Business Card’ as they can indicate social status, hygiene habits as well as health conditions. For example, we associate a pearl white smile with wealth, health, and care. Well, our teeth indicate even more information about us such as age, gender or personality. They also expose our certain personality traits and also impact our overall impression.
Do you know that people have been using the toothpaste since about 500 B.C.? In fact, going to the dentist is a relatively modern phenomenon. Back in the ancient age, the Greeks used a mixture that contained iron rust and coral powder to clean their teeth. Meanwhile, they started using toothbrushes that were bunches of tree twigs.
Luckily, dental care has become so advanced that now we have got many different tools at our disposal to help us take care of our teeth. It is a fact that we rely on our teeth daily to help us eat and knowing a little more about them and how our behaviors affect our dental health can help us take better care, and keep us smiling long into the future. This article tends to highlight some of the surprising facts that your teeth reveal about you. Read the article till the end as it will be very useful for you in the long run.
1- Teeth are as unique as fingerprints
It is a fact that your teeth say a lot about how you care for yourself, but do you know that you can also be identified just by your teeth? Yes, your teeth are as unique as fingerprints that is why police departments often use dental records in order to identify people. Your teeth, their size, shape, and position, are all as unique as a fingerprint. It is commonly said that every person’s bite is different, which means that you should never compare your smile to someone else’s. Because your teeth are your own and they always make you special!
2- The enamel of your teeth is the hardest substance
The second interesting fact about your teeth is that the enamel of your teeth is the hardest substance that your body produces. There are some of the hardest bones in the body that have to be in order to chew your food and start the digestive process. This bone is an extremely important protective layer that every tooth has, and it is called enamel. Protecting this layer is extremely important. For this purpose, you need to brush your teeth thoroughly.
3- Yellow means decay
It is commonly said that enamel is partly responsible for our teeth’s white appearance. This is quite true. It is the enamel due to which your teeth look white. When the enamel decays, your teeth may start to appear yellow.
4- You already have teeth when you are born
This is one of the most surprising facts that your teeth reveal about you. Without any doubt, we can say that every baby is born with teeth already formed in his/her gums. These are often called milk teeth. During the teething phase, these teeth will eventually start to grow in. There are some babies who are born with what are called natal teeth. Such teeth are considered in many cultures to be a sign of good fortune whereas, in Chinese culture, these teeth are considered to be a bad omen.
5- Cleaning between your teeth is very important
Cleaning between our teeth is extremely important. This is because when we brush, we are able to reach the tops and sides of our teeth easily but the surfaces between our teeth need proper cleaning too. These surfaces, in fact, make up a significant part of our tooth enamel. That is why it is very important to clean between your teeth daily to remove food and bacteria and promote healthy gums.
Moreover, do not forget to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups because keep in mind that your teeth are already amazing.
6- Humans have only two sets of teeth
Animals like sharks shed their teeth and grow in new ones at least once a year but humans have only two sets of teeth. The first set of teeth grow in as a baby, and then they begin to fall out throughout the childhood as the adult teeth start to come in. The second and last set of teeth is the adult teeth. That is why it is often said that take care of your teeth! Although not everyone these days is born with wisdom teeth, but wisdom teeth are technically part of that second set of teeth.
7- Most adults have thirty-two teeth
Another surprising fact is that most adults have a total of thirty-two teeth. This is quite true but do you know that many adults have more than thirty-two teeth, and some also have fewer? All human beings had more than thirty-two teeth in the past, but now, these extra teeth are called wisdom teeth. Most people’s jaws are not large enough for wisdom teeth to grow in properly (or the teeth are already growing in at an odd angle). Therefore, such teeth have to be extracted. People who have bigger jaws or more room in their bites might be able to let those wisdom teeth grow in naturally, so they might end up with upwards of thirty-six teeth!
8- Your mouth contains 300 types of bacteria
Plaque is a white and sticky material that is constantly growing. In fact, it contains millions of bacteria that are made up of 200 to 300 different species. These bacteria convert sugar and other carbohydrates into the acids which eat away at your teeth and cause tooth decay.
To sum up:
In short, the first thing that many people notice is our smile, and our teeth arguably are our smile’s most defining characteristic. In fact, like fingerprints, our teeth are so unique that they can provide valuable information about the person behind that dazzling smile!
