While teeth are complex structures that require regular care and hygiene to remain in good shape, many people take their pearly whites for granted. This can lead them to overindulge in sugary or acidic foods, use their smiles to open packages, or neglect to practice proper hygiene. To help you appreciate your teeth and everything they do for your oral and overall health, here’s a quick look at a few fascinating facts about them so you can stay motivated for excellent dental habits.
Your Teeth Are Completely Unique
Similarly to fingerprints, every person’s smile is distinct from everyone else’s, and even genetically identical twins have unique teeth. The first recorded instance of dental records being used to identify human remains was during the American Civil War, and today’s forensic scientists often use information provided by dentists to help solve crimes by analyzing factors like bite alignment, dental injuries, and infections.
Your Natural Saliva Is Your Smile’s First Line of Defense
While your brushing and flossing habits are invaluable for preserving your oral and overall health, many people don’t realize that saliva is the body’s primary way of protecting teeth from injury and infection. Saliva, commonly known as spit, keeps teeth lubricated to prevent injury and unnecessary erosion while helping to dilute and flush away harmful chemicals like sugar and acid. To make things even better, saliva contains nutrients necessary to remineralize teeth, which helps the enamel replace minerals lost to erosion and chemical exposure.
You Can Help Your Teeth Stay Clean and Healthy between Brushings with Smart Habits
While it’s essential to brush and floss every day to maintain good oral health, it can be inconvenient to squeeze an oral hygiene session into your busy schedule when you are working or traveling. Luckily, you can help reduce accumulations of plaque and sugar with habits like:
- Drinking plenty of water: Water will help flush harmful agents away from your enamel and keep your body hydrated enough for healthy saliva production.
- Chewing sugar-free gum: This is an easy and refreshing way to safely work food debris and plaque loose from your enamel and stimulate saliva flow. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals, beverages, and snacks is a great way to help prevent cavities and maintain fresh breath.
- Enjoying fresh fruits and veggies: Including fibrous raw plant matter such as carrots, apples, and celery in your lunch can help safely scrape plaque and food residue away from your teeth and set you up for smooth and comfortably digestion.
The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. Knowing a little bit about how amazing your teeth really are can help you appreciate the need to maintain them so they can stay in great shape for life.
About the Practice
Whitinsville Family Dentistry offers the finest oral health services in town. Led by Drs. Jason Tubo, Swati Agnihotri, Marc Bou-Abboud, and Sanah Hasan, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys courteous service and effective treatment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your next dental checkup, contact the office online or dial (508) 296-8971.