The health of your teeth and gums is one of the most important things you should focus on in order to keep your entire body healthy, but with that being said, a lot of people today tend to forget just how important oral hygiene really is. So, here are a few interesting facts about your teeth, just to get you thinking about your dental health in a different way:
- Your teeth started developing before you were even born. Baby teeth don’t start to appear until well after birth (except in a few very rare cases), and it’s true that these teeth end up falling out naturally as they’re replaced by “adult” teeth. But a baby’s teeth actually begin developing inside the womb because it’s that important for humans — even small children — to have strong teeth.
- Tooth enamel is the strongest natural substance in the body. It’s technically not a bone, but it’s even stronger than your teeth themselves. Tooth enamel is the substance that coats your teeth and protects them from bacteria. However, it’s possible to wear down your tooth enamel over time, and once it’s gone, it won’t grow back. It’s common for tooth enamel to be worn down by brushing too often or too vigorously, because of eating foods that have a lot of sugar, or because of bruxism (also called teeth grinding). Once tooth enamel is gone, you run a higher risk of developing oral hygiene problems like periodontitis and gingivitis.
- Gum disease can be a sign of other health problems. It’s common for people with diabetes or heart disease to suffer from poor dental hygiene, and in some cases, dentists are actually able to diagnose these problems before any other doctor does. Additionally, women often find that their oral hygiene takes a turn for the worse when they become pregnant. The good news is that gum disease is very treatable, as long as you have your teeth cleaned by a professional regularly and you maintain a solid oral hygiene routine, including brushing and flossing, in between dental visits.
Your teeth are some of the most important parts of your body, so it’s essential that you keep them as healthy as possible!
