Inside your mouth exists a hidden world and an integral part of it are your teeth. Composed of the hardest material found in your body, your ivories are truly amazing. So stay tuned, as your dentist in Charlottesville uncovers some interesting facts about your pearly whites and also discusses how to care for them with general dentistry and oral hygiene.
Did You Know This About Your Teeth?
- Tooth prints – Everyone knows that your finger prints are unique to you, so they’re great for identification. It turns out that your teeth have a unique signature as well. So maybe in the future, a national data bank will be built to house all of the teeth prints along with those of your fingers.
- When floss first appeared – One of the great oral hygiene tools is dental floss, but how long has it been around? Would you believe that it was first manufactured in 1882?
- Plaque as a bacteria stew – You’ve heard about the dangers of plaque collecting on your gums and teeth. But have you ever wondered what it’s composed of? It consists of a combination of more than 300 different types of bacteria. Now that’s quite a stew.
- Sugar bombs and your teeth – Before you swallow your next can of cola, think about this – there are 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar in a single can. Why is this important? It’s because simple sugars are the food of choice for harmful bacteria to grow. And these critters then launch an attack on your ivories.
- Your hand dictates your chewing – You will usually chew more on the side of your mouth that correlates to your dominant hand. Keep this in mind, though, to prevent premature wear.
How to Care for Your Teeth
It’s fun to learn about all of the cool facts related to your teeth, but don’t forget that your pearly whites need to be taken care of. As touched upon above, there are certain activities that will lead to the demise of the precious enamel that coat the outer surface of your teeth and contribute to its decay.
So here are some simple things you can do to protect your teeth:
- Brush for at least two minutes twice a day. This agitates and removes debris and bacteria.
- Floss to remove food particles and bacteria in hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, cleaning the 40 percent of your teeth’s surface that your brush can’t address.
- Make healthier food and beverage choices. Remember that sugar is the greatest enemy of the health of your teeth and gums. It feeds bacteria and allows them to grow exponentially.
So now that you know more about how important your teeth are, take advantage of another means available to protect them. Reach out to your local dentist to schedule a semi-annual appointment for a thorough cleaning and tediously conducted examination. Thus, your teeth will remain strong for years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Hal M. Lippard earned his DDS degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Since then, he’s provided over 20 years of dental care to the people of Charlottesville. Still, though, he eagerly pursues more knowledge through continuing education courses. Dr. Lippard can be reached for more information through his website.