Top 9 little known facts about teeth

Teeth are an exceptional part of the human body. Not only are they as unique as fingerprints, but they are also covered with the hardest substance in the human body.

The Live Science publication has revealed the most interesting facts that dentists have learned about human teeth.

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body

Not everyone knows that enamel, which forms the outer layer of teeth, is the hardest substance that our body can produce. It consists of almost 97% of mineral salts and takes the brunt of the impact of chewing food. However, even its impressive strength does not protect it from abrasion and damage. It's worth noting that unlike human bones, tooth enamel does not have the ability to regenerate.

Teeth are unique

An equally impressive feature of this part of the human body is that each person's teeth are unique. Dr Hanna Kinsella explained that "teeth are as unique as your fingerprint." That's why the US police often use dental impressions to identify people. This method can often be seen in American movies. However, it is worth noting that this method is not as accurate, although it sometimes helps investigators solve cases.

You spend about a day a year brushing your teeth

Many dentists, including Dr. Alina Lee Lane, recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for at least 4 minutes. Using simple mathematical calculations, we can say that a person spends more than 24 hours a year brushing their teeth.

The ability of teeth to feel cold determines whether they are alive

Many people don't understand why our teeth can feel cold because it seems like a rather unnecessary function. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The fact is that there are many blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth, which react to stimuli such as cold.

Dentists rely on this fact when examining patients. That is, the feeling of cold or pain is the main sign that the tooth is "alive". If a person does not feel changes in temperature, pressure, or pain, this may indicate that the tooth is already "dead."

Yellowing

When a person notices that their teeth are yellowing, the primary cause is usually stains after eating, drinking, or the effects of tobacco use. Of course, this can also affect the color, but the real reason may be in the dentin. This is the layer that is located under the enamel and has a yellowish and sometimes brownish color.

When the enamel wears off, its color becomes more and more visible. This creates the effect of yellowing of the teeth. This is another reason why you should take good care of your enamel.

Teeth cannot repair themselves

While other human bones are able to heal and repair themselves even after injuries, teeth do not have this ability. Of course, the human body is able to produce a small layer of bone tissue, but the body cannot repair significant damage on its own.

However, experiments have shown that Tideglusib causes cells in the dental pulp to heal small holes. Scientists have high hopes for the study of this phenomenon as it could be a real breakthrough in dentistry.

The first braces were developed in the 18th century

Although you might think that braces are a recent development, this is not really the case. Researchers believe that the "father" of modern dentistry, Pierre Fauchard, developed one of the first orthodontic devices back in the 18th century.

However, at that time, not everyone could afford them because the devices were made of silver or gold. Nevertheless, the aristocracy used Fauchard's innovation. Moreover, the devices were recommended by Etienne Bourdet, who was the dentist of the then King of France.

A person can have up to six wisdom teeth

Third molars, more commonly known as "wisdom teeth," are present in many adults. They can be a significant problem because most people have about four of them, and they may not find a place in the jaw.

However, according to dentists, a person can have up to 6 wisdom teeth in total, while there are cases when they are absent altogether. It all depends on the individual case.

Plaque can contain more than 300 types of bacteria

It's hard to believe, but plaque can contain 200 to 300 different types of bacteria. However, don't panic because not all of them are harmful or spoil your teeth. One type of bacteria is the most dangerous: Streptococcus mutans. It is this type of bacteria that is the main cause of tooth decay.