At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we not only love to help our patients have the healthiest, brightest smile, we love to educate them as well! We believe the more you know about your teeth and mouth, the more likely you are to take care of them. And the more you take care of them, the healthier your whole body is. Your Velma dentist can help you achieve and maintain healthy teeth and gums for years to come.
Here are ten things you may not know about your mouth.
- Enamel is the hardest part of your entire body. This substance that makes up the outside of the teeth is harder than steel. But, unfortunately, it breaks much more easily—so don’t try opening any bottles with them!
- There are four distinct types of teeth:
- Incisors: the four front teeth in the upper and lower jaws that are used to cut food
- Canines: these four teeth sit on either side of the incisors and are best at tearing food
- Premolars: the two teeth behind each canine tooth that crush food
- Molars: the three teeth behind the premolars on all sides and are best at grinding food
- No two people have the same teeth. Oftentimes, police use dental records to identify missing or unidentified persons, just as they would use a fingerprint.
- Your mouth produces enough saliva in a lifetime to fill up two swimming pools. Saliva provides many benefits like assisting with digestion, protecting teeth from bacteria, and allowing us to taste!
- Plaque begins to form four hours after brushing. Built-up plaque eats away at the enamel. This is why regular brushing is so important!
- Sugar is a major contributor to tooth decay. Ice cream, chocolate bars, sour candy, and our other sugary favorites can wreak havoc on the health of our teeth. If we consume too much, they can cause cavities and even tooth loss.
- Cheese protects teeth! Thankfully, there are foods that help restore what sugar has destroyed. Cheese and other dairy products have calcium that helps strengthen the enamel.
- Teeth are alive. They have their own nerves and blood flow. This means they can also die.
- Teeth form in the womb. In the sixth week of pregnancy, the inner part of the teeth begins to develop, and by four months, the enamel has developed.
- 25% of adults don’t brush twice a day. If you’ve read the other facts, you know this is not good! We always recommend brushing at least twice a day.
Take Care of Your Teeth!
Your teeth are more than just a pretty smile, their health can affect the whole body. An unhealthy mouth can increase your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Therefore, brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and visiting a dentist at least twice a year is vital. Not only can it prevent these issues, but it can also help prevent further and more expensive damage to your teeth later.
Contact Your Velma Dentist Today
If you have been searching for a Velma dentist, look no further! Dr. Matthew Bridges and his team are highly qualified, gentle, and loved by their patients. Dr. Bridges believes going to the dentist should be stress-free for everyone and works hard to make every patient feel at home. Whether you are needing restorative, preventative, or cosmetic dental care, we would love to meet with you. To set up an appointment today, visit our website or contact us at (580) 255-4880.
