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Without your teeth, it would be extremely difficult to function throughout the day. If you didn’t have teeth, you wouldn’t be able to chew your food or speak clearly. As much as you use them, you probably aren’t thinking about them all too often and there are so many things about your teeth that you probably don’t know. Continue reading to learn some facts about your smile from your dentist in South Austin.

NO ONE ELSE HAS TEETH LIKE YOU

It’s true. Your smile is like a unique fingerprint. There is not one single person in the world with a smile quite like yours. This is why dental records are sometimes used to identify human remains and even solve crimes. In fact, even identical twins don’t have the same smile.

YOU ONLY SEE PART OF YOUR TEETH

Did you know that about one third of your tooth is beneath your gum? That means part of your tooth you likely will never be able to see. This is why it’s so crucial that you take care of your gums as well as the health of your teeth. They work together to provide you with a functional smile. Maintaining a good dental hygiene routine is crucial for optimal oral health in South Austin.

THE ENAMEL IS VERY STRONG

In fact, the outer layer of your tooth is actually the hardest part of your entire body, including your bones! Just like your bones, the enamel is made from mostly calcium and phosphate. The reason it is stronger is because of the specific proteins and crystallites that form it.

ADULTS HAVE 32 TEETH

If you still have all over your natural teeth, chances are that you have 32 of them. If you have had your wisdom teeth extracted, then you have 28. Either way, that is still a mouthful of teeth! It includes eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and 12 molars.

YOUR MOUTH IS FULL OF BACTERIA

The plaque that builds up on your teeth is made up of 200 to 300 different species of bacteria. Keeping up a good oral hygiene routine is necessary to clean away this bacteria to prevent poor tooth health in the future.

YOU MAKE LOTS OF SALIVA

Your body produces about a quart of saliva every single day. If you add it all up, that’s about 10,000 gallons in your lifetime. There is a good reason why your body produces so much of it. Saliva plays many important roles. One of these is aiding in the digestion process. It also washes away food particles in your mouth that can cause damage and decay.

If much as you use your teeth, there is always something new to learn. Next time you look at your smile in the mirror, keep some of these fun facts in mind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Fan provides a wide variety of services to patients of all ages at The Dental Centre in Austin, TX. He earned his doctorate from New York University College of Dentistry and is committed to attending continuing education programs to further his knowledge in the field. For more information on your smile or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fan, visit his website or call (512) 361-4288.