1. 1. Your teeth are uniquely yours.
Your teeth are like your fingerprint: They are uniquely yours. This is why dental
records are sometimes used to identify human remains. Even identical twins do not
have identical teeth. Bonus fact: Your tongue also has a unique “tongue print.”
2. They’re a bit like icebergs.
About a third of each tooth is underneath your gums. This is why keeping your gums
healthy is as important as making sure your teeth are well cared for. Your gums
should always be pink in color, and firm.
3. And you have 32 of them.
2. Working from your front teeth to the back of your mouth, you have eight incisors
(your front teeth), four canine teeth, eight premolars, and 12 molars.
4. Your enamel is the hardest part of your body.
The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth. Like a hard shell, its primary
purpose is to protect the rest of the tooth. The enamel is mostly made of calcium and
phosphate, like your bones, but is stronger because of the specific proteins and
crystallites that form it.
5. But it isn’t invincible.
Tooth Worms?
Prior to 1960, it was a common belief that toothaches were caused by a “tooth worm” that
lived in your gums. If the pain subsided, it was because the worm was simply resting.
3. Even though it’s there to protect your teeth, the enamel can still chip or crack, and it
isn’t safe from decay. Sugars and acids, like those found in soft drinks, interact with
bacteria in your mouth and attack your enamel, which marks the start of tooth decay.
Soft drinks are particularly damaging when you drink them often, or slowly throughout
the day.
6. Yellow means decay.
That’s not just a coffee stain. Enamel is partly responsible for your teeth’s white
appearance, and when it decays, your teeth may start to appear yellow. Decaying
enamel could also be to blame for any pain you feel.
4. 7. Dentin grows, enamel doesn’t.
Dentin is the layer that lies beneath the enamel, and it is also harder than your
bones. Dentin is made up of small channels and passageways that transmit nerve
signals and nutrition through the tooth. There are three types of dentin: primary,
secondary, and reparative. While the enamel is basically static, dentin continues to
grow and change throughout your life.
8. Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria.
Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of 200 to 300 differentspecies. The
main culprit for poor tooth health is Streptococcus mutans, which converts sugar and
other carbohydrates into the acids which eat away at your teeth.
9. Plaque is the enemy.
White and sticky, it’s constantly growing. If you don’t remove it regularly by brushing
and flossing, it can cause tooth decay. Without removal, plaque hardens and
5. develops into tartar. So, brush and floss at least twice daily and see your dentist for
regular cleanings.
10. You make 10,000 gallons of spit.
Your body produces about a quart of saliva every day, which comes out to about
10,000 gallons over a lifetime. Saliva plays many important roles in your overall
health. For example, it makes food easier to swallow and contains enzymes to
jumpstart digestion. When it comes to your teeth, saliva washes away lingering food
particles, and contains calcium and phosphate, which can neutralize the acids in
plaque that cause damage and decay.
6. 11. They need not be straight.
While the American ideal is to have straight, white teeth, in other countries, this is
not the pinnacle of beauty. In Japan, for example, having crooked teeth is considered
more beautiful than having so-called “perfect” ones, so much so that some women get
crooked veneers to hide their naturally-straight smiles.
12. They’re expensive to maintain.
According to recent research, Americans spend more than $1.4 billion annually on
over-the-counter teeth-whitening products. Yet, we spend far less money—only $775
million—per year on toothbrushes.
7. 11. They need not be straight.
While the American ideal is to have straight, white teeth, in other countries, this is
not the pinnacle of beauty. In Japan, for example, having crooked teeth is considered
more beautiful than having so-called “perfect” ones, so much so that some women get
crooked veneers to hide their naturally-straight smiles.
12. They’re expensive to maintain.
According to recent research, Americans spend more than $1.4 billion annually on
over-the-counter teeth-whitening products. Yet, we spend far less money—only $775
million—per year on toothbrushes.
