Here’s a riddle for you: We don’t have them, then we do, then we don’t, then we do, then we should, but we might not. What are they?
It’s our teeth! Those incredible pieces of mineral deposit that grow out of our jaw bones and through our gum tissue twice in our lifetime and spend the rest of their time tearing and grinding food we can easily digest.
Thinking about it that way, your teeth are pretty incredible.
In fact, there are a lot of really amazing facts about your teeth and mouth that you may not know, and may not even believe. And while some of these facts may be strange, they’re all aspects of a truly incredible biological system that’s constantly working inside your mouth.
10 Unbelievable Facts About Your Teeth and Mouth:
- The average American spends about 38.5 days brushing their teeth during their lifetime. - Dr. Joy Graham
- Your tongue print and dental impressions are as unique to you as your fingerprint, and dental records are often used as a means of identifying deceased individuals. - Dentistry IQ
- The enamel that makes up the outer layer of your teeth is the hardest substance in your body. - Floss Dental
- Your mouth produces about 25,000 quarts of saliva during your life - that’s enough to fill two swimming pools. (Yuck!) - Science of Wonder
- Your jaw muscles can exert an impressive 200 pounds per square inch of bite pressure. (Although that seems weak when compared to the Nile crocodile at 6000 psi, it’s still more than enough to handle any reasonable biting and chewing needs you’ll ever run into.) - Scientific American
- Unlike bones or other parts of the body, teeth cannot repair themselves. This is why receiving fillings and other dental work is necessary to protect teeth from further damage. - Colgate
- In North America, over 3 million miles of dental floss are sold every year. And even though that’s a huge amount, experts estimate that if the entire North American population flossed as thoroughly and regularly as they should, we would buy more like 20.3 million miles of floss per year. - Delta Dental
- According to numerous surveys, nearly 50% of people indicate the smile is the first thing they notice when they meet someone new. - AdWeek
- The tongue has long been believed to be the strongest muscle in your body, but it’s technically not. - Scientific American
- The common cold is the most prevalent disease on the planet. In second place is tooth decay. - NIDCR
Your teeth are truly amazing, and worth taking care of. Make sure you brush twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once a day, and see your dentist at least twice every year. If you find yourself putting off a dental visit because of cost, consider joining a dental discount plan so you can afford to protect your incredible teeth.
