If you’re like most people, you haven’t given much thought to the history of teeth and dental care. While you might assume that regular maintenance has been around since the dawn time, the way in which people keep their mouths clean has changed dramatically since the days of Ancient Greece. To better understand why you should take a vested interest in the health and appearance of your teeth and gums, your dentist in Myrtle Beach shares 5 unique facts to encourage you to maintain a strong, happy, and healthy smile for years to come.
Your Teeth Are Unique, Just Like Your Fingerprints
Ever wonder why medical examiners often rely on dental records to identify a deceased individual? While this may not be the most pleasant thought, the reason is that your teeth are unique and can be solely attributed to you. Much like your fingerprints, your pearly whites are different and will never be the same as anyone else’s teeth.
Your Tooth Enamel is Extraordinarily Hard
If you think your tooth enamel is fragile and easily chipped or broken, you’ll be pleased to know this is not the case. Yes, certain habits and substances (i.e. sugar, starch) can make your tooth enamel more susceptible to fractures, it is actually one of the hardest parts of your body. Designed to serve as a strong, tough exterior, this shell helps to protect the rest of your tooth and is made of calcium and phosphate, just like the bones throughout your body. However, tooth enamel is much stronger because it is made up of certain proteins and crystallites, making it difficult to crack.
But you should be mindful that it is completely impenetrable. Chewing on ice, hard candy, or consuming too much sugar can damage your tooth enamel over time and lead to necessary restorative care to minimize further harm.
Once Your Enamel is Gone, You Cannot Get It Back
While your tooth enamel may be extremely hard to break, once it deteriorates and/or thins, it will not grow back. However, the layer underneath the enamel, the dentin, does alter throughout your life. Consisting of various channels, this layer continually transmits nerve signals through the tooth to keep it growing and changing.
300 Types of Bacteria Live in Your Mouth
If that sounds like a lot, it is. In fact, the plaque that generates in your mouth consists of millions of bacteria. While not all will cause decay like one particular strain – Streptococcus mutans – you want to do your best to minimize bad bacteria to avoid potential decay and gum disease. Should you ingest too much sugar or starch, it can cause plaque and tartar to accumulate and will convert these sugars and carbs into acids. When this happens, you can expect to experience cavity formations and necessary restorative care to fix these types of problems (i.e. dental filling and/or crown).
Your Mouth Generates a Quart of Saliva Each Day
How much is a quart of saliva exactly? It is estimated that you generate about 10,000 gallons of spit throughout your life. How is this possible? Saliva is one of the most important aspects of your oral and overall health? Why? Because it helps to prevent bad breath and keep bad bacteria and food particles from adhering to your teeth and accumulating throughout your mouth. It contains the necessary ingredients (i.e. calcium, phosphate) to neutralize acids and keep plaque and other harmful bacteria from penetrating your tooth enamel and gum tissue and causing serious dental problems.
About the Author
As a dental professional for more than 40 years, Dr. Jack Markusen served in the United States Air Force in 1968 before being honorably discharged in 1971. Attending the Medical University of South Carolina, School of Dentistry, he graduated in 1976. Since that time, he has been helping residents of Myrtle Beach and its surrounding communities achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. No matter if it has been six months or five years since an individual’s last visit, he and his team always provide a judgment-free zone to ensure patients feel welcome, safe, and comfortable while working toward improved oral health. If you need dental care but are uncertain of what to expect, visit our website or call (843) 916-0990.