9 Interesting Facts About Teeth, Let's See!
Teeth are the hardest tissue in the human body compared to others. Its function is not only to chew and digest food, but also to help us speak clearly. Teeth also have an important role in the health of the body.
Human teeth have actually been formed since the beginning of the second trimester of pregnancy, but in general teeth grow at the age of 6-10 months.
Maybe you only know that teeth are one of the small organs of the body, the size of corn kernels. But did you know, there are 9 interesting facts about teeth? The following is a list reported by Live Science, Tuesday (18/1/2022).
1. The hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel
According to drwilliamstraka, the enamel that forms the outer layer of teeth is the strongest substance the body makes. Despite its tough outer layer, over time tooth enamel can wear away, gradually eroding and exposing the softer dentine beneath, causing tooth sensitivity.
2. Teeth cannot repair themselves
So even though tooth enamel is a very strong part of the body, it is very important to take good care of it to keep your smile wide. A paper published by the American Family Physician, states that people should consult a dentist beyond routine examinations, including inflammation of the pulp (often caused by caries), broken teeth, and trauma.
3. Similar to fingerprints
Like fingerprints, every human being has a different set of teeth. In crime documentaries, tooth prints have been used in some very high-profile cases, including the trial of serial killer Ted Bundy. According to the Dental Research Journal, dental records play an important role in postmortem identification.
4. Humans can have six wisdom teeth
Third molars are known as ‘wisdom teeth’. Most adults have four wisdom teeth, but not a few have 6 wisdom teeth. However, these wisdom teeth may have difficulty finding space in the mouth. Often, wisdom teeth don't erupt with the other teeth normally because many people have jaws that are too small to fit them.
5. The ability of teeth to feel cold
Inside the teeth are blood vessels and nerves, which make the teeth ‘alive’. Meanwhile, teeth can die if the nerve tissue is damaged and they can no longer feel cold. Well, if Genhype feels pain during the test to see if the tooth feels cold, the dentist will ask what kind of pain you are experiencing and determine what the problem is.
6. Dentin changes make teeth appear yellow
Which of you has yellow teeth? Definitely think it's because of the stains on the teeth that are triggered by food, drink, and other substances such as tobacco. But be aware that these stains are not the only reason for discoloration. Yellow teeth can also be caused by dentine or the layer of teeth that gets under the enamel during certain treatments, such as root canal treatments.
7. Plaque contains more than 300 species of bacteria
Plaque can contain 200 to 300 different species of bacteria. Although not all of these bacteria will harm dental health, one particular type of bacteria namely Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of tooth decay.
8. Humans spend about one day a year brushing their teeth
Dentist Alina Lee Land recommends brushing your teeth for four minutes each day, which is two minutes to brush your teeth in the morning and evening. If based on the standard 365 days in a year, you will spend more than 24 hours brushing your teeth every year
9. Braces were first invented in the 18th century
Medical historians believe that dental pioneer Pierre Fauchard designed one of the first orthodontic devices in the 18th century. Bandolet was the precursor of the modern arch-expansion technique. The device was made of silver or gold and was even recommended by Etienne Bourdet, a dentist to the King of France at the time