You could easily assume you know a lot about your teeth, given how often you use them. They’re a visible part of your body, after all; you can tell when they’re stained, chipped, aching, and more. Even so, there’s actually plenty of amazing tooth knowledge you don’t have. Your West Hartford dentist will even share some interesting tidbits with you as proof. To that end, here are four fascinating things you likely didn’t know about your teeth.
They’re Uniquely Yours
Pearly whites from various people can look the same at a glance, but don’t be fooled. Your teeth are uniquely yours, having qualities that set them apart from someone else’s.
Put another way, your teeth are like your fingerprints. They possess certain traits – patterns of wear and tear, coloring, position, etc. – that distinguish them from another person’s. Indeed, this uniqueness is why officials rely on dental records to identify human remains. Even identical twins don’t have identical teeth, so a close examination can reveal who a person is.
Their Enamel is the Hardest Body Part
While most people think their bones are the hardest parts of their body, they’re wrong. The truth is that your tooth enamel is the toughest body part.
Remember, the role of enamel is to protect teeth. It covers up the sensitive layer of nerves and vessels – the dentin – that makes up a tooth’s core. To fulfill that function, it’s composed of an extremely hard combination of calcium, phosphate, and specific proteins and crystallites. Enamel is thus harder than even your bones, being able to withstand a great deal of force.
They Can’t Repair Themselves
Skin and bones fix themselves, so it’s natural to conclude that teeth do the same. No such luck, though; your pearly whites can’t repair the damage they take.
You see, body parts can only repair themselves when blood flows through them. It’s this life-giving liquid that provides the various cells and nutrients necessary for healing. Enamel doesn’t have access to a consistent blood flow, however; healing cells and nutrients can’t reach it. As a result, any enamel you lose as you live is gone forever.
They Exist Under Your Gums
You can certainly see all of your teeth when you open your mouth. That said, hidden parts of them also exist beneath your gums.
Roughly a third of each tooth is underneath your gumline. Thanks to these “roots,” your teeth can keep themselves stable and remain permanently fixed to your mouth. They’ll only ever become visible if you knock a tooth out or suffer from a receding gumline. For that reason (among others), you should always keep your gums healthy by brushing them twice daily.
You can now see there’s a lot you didn’t know about your teeth. If you’d like to learn more, consult your dental provider!
About the Practice
West Hartford Dental Group is based in West Hartford, CT. Led by Drs. Phadnis, Pucci, and Rodrigues, our practice is always doing its utmost to provide great, caring dentistry. We offer a wide range of treatments as part of that commitment, including dental checkups, dental crowns, and even dental implants. Whatever your grin needs, you can count on us to provide it! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (860)-236-4249.