5 Interesting facts about teeth

We cover a lot of topics here on our blog from oral health and hygiene information to tips for choosing the right type of braces for you. We hope that our blogs prove a useful resource for you or your children and that you make better oral health decisions as a result. Our team here at Smilessence is always happy to speak with you regarding any concerns you may have about orthodontic treatment.

Tooth Enamel Can Never Be Replaced

Yes, you heard that right. Enamel, the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in your body that protects your teeth cannot be replaced if it is broken down. Enamel is the number one thing protecting your teeth from decay and plays a part in determining the colour of your teeth. Although many kinds of toothpaste claim they can “restore” your teeth, this is somewhat misleading. They do restore your teeth by removing harmful bacteria and plaque and strengthening existing enamel, but they do not replace enamel that has worn off.

Not Everyone Needs to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed

Everyone is well-acquainted with the idea that most people need to have their wisdom teeth removed once they start to emerge. Wisdom teeth can be a major problem for many people because the modern human jaw size is much smaller than it once was meaning there isn’t enough room for four new molars to come in during your late teens or early twenties. But this isn’t the case for everyone. Unlike most people, whose wisdom teeth come in crooked, damaging other teeth and causing a lot of pain, some people’s wisdom teeth grow in perfectly straight and they have no problems with them. If you’re concerned about whether you need to get your wisdom teeth removed on not, speak with an oral health specialist. They will take an x-ray and be able to see whether they’re coming in straight or not.

Oral Health is Linked to Your Overall Health

Unfortunately, oral health isn’t as much of a localized issue as we would like to believe and it’s amazing how much an oral health specialist can learn about your overall health just by inspecting your gums and teeth. If you have a poor diet that leads to cavities, gum disease, or tooth decay, you could be at a much higher risk for heart cardiovascular disease, strokes, and much more. Not to mention a poor diet often leads to diabetes or obesity which can make dental issues worse.

Your teeth are also very close to major arteries and your sinuses. If your teeth or gums get infected, this can easily spread to other parts of the body and even to the heart.

A Month of Our Lives Is Spent Brushing

If you brush your teeth once every morning and every night for a minute, you will have spent 852 hours or 35.5 days of your life brushing your teeth by the age of 70. That’s a lot of time! However, this doesn’t take into account the time it takes to floss which you should absolutely be doing.

Many People Have Missing Teeth

Many people are under the impression that tooth loss is something that only happens in old age. However, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Although in adults age 20 to 64, only about 3.75% of people have no remaining teeth, this number increases significantly with age. In adults between the age of 65 and 74, 30 percent of people are missing all their teeth.

Smilessence Dental Practice

Although you should never be worried about your oral health, it is helpful to take note of the lesser known facts about our teeth and gums. When it comes to maintaining your oral health, all you really need to know is to have a great oral health routine, eat right, and see an oral health specialist regularly. If you’re looking for a dentist in London, don’t hesitate to contact Smilessence.