Your teeth play a crucial role in your daily life, from biting and chewing to helping you speak clearly. But there’s much more to your teeth than meets the eye. Let’s dive into 10 fascinating dental facts that will not only boost your dental IQ but also give you some interesting tidbits to share with friends and family.
1. Teeth Can Grow Backward or Upside Down
In certain cases, adult teeth can grow in a strange direction, such as backward or even upside down. Factors like overcrowding or baby teeth not falling out on time can cause adult teeth to shift and grow in unusual directions.
2. Cavities Can Form Before Teeth Erupt
Did you know that cavities can form even before a tooth breaks through the gum? If bacteria sink below the gums into periodontal pockets, they can damage the developing adult teeth that are still beneath the gum line.
3. Your Teeth Are Like Icebergs
Just like an iceberg, only about one-third of your tooth’s total size is visible above the gumline. The remaining two-thirds are hidden below the surface, anchored in your jawbone.
4. Adult Teeth Are Numbered 1 to 32
In the U.S., dentists use a numbering system to identify teeth. Dentists number your adult teeth from 1 to 32, starting with the upper right molar and ending with the lower right molar.
5. Baby Teeth Are Labeled A to T
Baby teeth are identified using letters instead of numbers. Starting with the upper right baby tooth as “A” and ending with the lower right molar as “T,” this labeling system makes it easy to keep track of those little chompers.
6. Teeth Don’t Heal Like Bones
Unlike bones, your teeth can’t heal themselves once damaged.
7. The Word “Deciduous” Means “To Fall Off”
The medical term for baby teeth is “deciduous,” which comes from the Latin word decidere, meaning “to fall off or be shed”—similar to how deciduous trees shed their leaves.
8. Diet Sodas Aren’t Healthier for Your Teeth
Diet sodas may be marketed as better for your waistline, but they still contain acids that erode tooth enamel.
9. Some People Keep Their Baby Teeth
In rare cases, some individuals retain their baby teeth well into adulthood. These retained baby teeth often occur because there aren’t any permanent teeth to replace them.
10. Ankylosed Teeth Are Extremely Rare
Fewer than 200,000 Americans have an ankylosed tooth, where the jawbone permanently connects to the root, lacking the protective periodontal ligament.
Final Thoughts
Now you can share these unique facts about your teeth at your next gathering.
Also Check : The Link Between Dental Cleanings and Overall Health: What You Should Know