What’s up with our teeth? Our pearly whites help us smile, talk, and, of course, chew our food. But there are a lot more facts to chomp on about your teeth!
Take a bite out of this…
Parts of the Tooth
Each tooth is made up of parts. They include:
- Enamel. Made of phosphate and calcium, tooth enamel coats the outside of our teeth and is very hard.
- The crown. We can see the crowns of our teeth; they’re the part of the tooth that sticks up.
- Dentine. This softer substance exists under the enamel, and it’s where cavities like to grow.
- Pulp. Under the dentine, nerves and blood vessels are found. These supply nutrients to the tooth, and they’re also where you feel the pain from a cavity.
- Cementum. Outside the dentine, where there is no enamel, the cementum holds the tooth to the jawbone.
Toothy Identities
Did you know each of our chompers has its very own name and identity? Check them out!
Incisors are your front teeth. There are four on top and four on bottom. These teeth help you bite into things like apples, and they begin the process of chewing your food up into smaller bits.
Canine teeth are the sharp and pointed teeth next to the incisors. There are two on the top and two on the bottom. The canine teeth help tear into tough foods like meat (like canines such as dogs and wolves do!).
Premolar (bicuspid) teeth are located next to the canine teeth. Here you will find four bicuspids on top and four on the bottom. These big, ridged teeth are stronger than the canines and incisors. They help crush and grind food up before we swallow it.
Molars are located at the back of your mouth (four on top and four on the bottom). These strong teeth are the final stop for our food before it gets swallowed, and they finish grinding it up so it’s safe to swallow.
Wisdom teeth (or third molars) are the last teeth to grow in. Some people never get wisdom teeth, and some peoples’ wisdom teeth never grow in, but instead stay stuck in their jawbone. There are four wisdom teeth in total (one in each back corner). Sometimes, these teeth have to be surgically removed because there isn’t enough room for them to grow in without causing a lot of pain. In fact, most people have had their wisdom teeth removed!
Fun Fact: Scientists believe that wisdom teeth may have been needed thousands of years ago because humans ate raw meat, which is tougher in texture and harder to break down.
7 Ways to Have Healthy Teeth
Everyone’s teeth are different, but the one thing they all have in common is that they need to be kept healthy! How do you do that? Check out these healthy teeth tips.
Tip #1 – Shrink the Sweets
Sugary candy, desserts, and sodas taste super good, but they’re also one of the leading causes of tooth decay. When it comes to sugar, shrink the amount you eat! Just have a little instead of a lot.
Tip #2 – Have a Healthy Diet
Our whole body needs healthy food to stay strong, and that includes our teeth! Make sure you eat plenty of fruits, veggies, and protein every day. And don’t forget to drink milk–it has lots of calcium that’s great for strong bones and teeth.
Tip #3 – Brush, Brush, Brush, Repeat
Dentists recommend that we brush our teeth twice a day for 2 minutes at a time. Use toothpaste with fluoride in it (that’s healthy for teeth) and don’t rinse your mouth after you’re finished. Why? Because water chases away all that healthy fluoride, and you want it to stay on your teeth for as long as possible! You also want to make sure to brush the front and back of each tooth.
Healthy Teeth Tip: Set a timer for 2 minutes, or get an electric toothbrush that shuts off after 2 minutes of brushing.
Tip #4 – Good as New
Having a good toothbrush is a must for healthy teeth and gums. To get the most out of your toothbrush, be sure to buy a new one (or change the head of an electric brush) every 3 to 4 months.
Tip #5 – Floss ‘Em Up!
Toothbrushes are pretty awesome, but they can’t clean everything in our mouths. After brushing, we still have yucky build-up between our teeth. That’s why we need floss! Floss is a thin string designed to go between each of our teeth to clean out what’s stuck there. We’re supposed to floss twice a day, every day.
Tip #6 – Say No to Smoking
Smoking is a nasty addiction that many people suffer from. The nicotine in cigarettes is not only dangerous to your entire body, but it also makes your teeth yellow and unhealthy. Avoid this habit!
Tip #7 – Time for a Check-Up
It’s important to visit your dentist once a year for a check-up and a cleaning. At these appointments, your dentist will look over your teeth to make sure they are healthy, that there aren’t any cavities developing, and that they’re growing properly. Then they clean your teeth!
More Fun Teeth Facts
We’re not finished “chewing” on fun facts about teeth. Did you know…
- Tooth enamel is the hardest bone in your body!
- Your teeth started growing in your gums before you were born.
- Your mouth contains millions of bacteria.
- You make about 25,000 gallons of saliva in your lifetime.
- Baby teeth (before your permanent teeth) are also called “milk teeth.”
- Most children smile around 400 times a day.
- There are 32 teeth in a healthy mouth.
- Tooth decay is considered a common disease.
- The most popular toothbrush color is blue!
- Braces and liners help straighten out our teeth.
- Dentures are false (or fake) teeth for adults that don’t have any of their own teeth left.
The “Tooth” Is Out There!
As you can see, having healthy teeth isn’t just about brushing; it’s also about having lots of knowledge of what our teeth are made of and how to care for them. So give us a big grin if you loved these toothy facts, and be sure to tell all your friends and family what you learned here today. And of course, don’t forget to brush your teeth!
