Blog

It is important to understand how your teeth function and how your daily oral hygiene habits affect your long-term dental health. The good news is, taking care of your teeth is easier than ever before, as we now have an abundance of scientifically-backed information about oral health and a variety of specialized oral care tools at our disposal.

The following ten dental health facts are essential to maintaining optimal oral hygiene and preventing tooth decay. Learning about these dental fundamentals may even prevent you from having to seek professional emergency dental services and urgent care in Edmonton one day.

1.    Your teeth are unique to you

Your smile is one of a kind and serves as a biological identifier! Even identical twins have different dental structures and patterns. For this reason, forensic odontology uses dental records as a reliable method to identify human remains in forensic investigations.

2.    Your teeth and icebergs are somewhat similar

Approximately one-third of each tooth’s structure is hidden underneath your gums within the jawbone. This submerged portion includes the tooth root and cementum. This means, taking care of your gums is vital for overall tooth health. Note, healthy gums should be pink and firm, not red or swollen.

3.    You have 32 teeth in total

Have you ever wondered how many teeth you actually have in a complete adult set? Well, you have 8 front teeth (incisors), four canine teeth, eight premolars, and 12 molars (including wisdom teeth), which means you have 32 teeth in total.

Fun fact, while 32 teeth may seem like a lot to us humans, dolphins have anywhere from 80-240 teeth, depending on the species.

4.    Your enamel is tougher than you think

Your enamel is the outer protective layer of your teeth that shields them from physical and chemical damage. It is the hardest tissue in your body. Enamel is made mostly of calcium phosphate crystals called hydroxyapatite. You can think of tooth enamel as a protective shell that shields your teeth’s inner structures, similar to the purpose of a turtle’s shell.

5.    Your enamel isn’t indestructible though

Even though your enamel is very strong, it can still chip and crack from injuries or too much force. When this happens, you might need to seek emergency dental services in Edmonton. Additionally, your teeth can gradually decay when you regularly consume sugary/acidic beverages, such as soda. The acid in these drinks erodes the enamel over time. This is why dentists recommend limiting your sugar consumption to prevent these harmful effects on dental health.

6.    Yellow Teeth Can Indicate Underlying Dental Decay and Enamel Erosion

Your morning coffee isn’t the only culprit behind your tooth stains. When teeth begin to decay, the tooth enamel can change color and begin to look yellow as the underlying dentin layer becomes more visible through the thinning enamel. Tooth decay can also be the underlying cause behind persistent tooth pain. Note, if you are experiencing a persistent toothache, visit your emergency dental clinic in Edmonton as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

7.    Your Tooth Enamel Doesn’t Regrow While Dentin Continues Developing Throughout Life

Your tooth enamel stops forming early in tooth development. However, your dentin keeps growing and changing throughout your life. As you age, new layers of dentin are formed on the inner surface of your teeth’s pulp chambers. Dentin is the sensitive layer beneath the enamel and there are three different types of dentin which include, primary, secondary, and tertiary (reparative) dentin.

8.    Your Mouth Contains Hundreds of Different Bacterial Species That Impact Dental Health

Can you guess how many different bacteria species are probably in your mouth right now? The answer is, 200 to 300 distinct bacterial species! So which bacteria is to blame for most dental problems? Streptococcus mutans, a specific bacterial strain.

Streptococcus mutans bacteria are the leading cause of tooth decay and other oral diseases as they convert sugars into acids that attack tooth enamel.

9.    Dental Plaque Formation Is The Primary Cause of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Dental plaque is a white and sticky bacterial biofilm that constantly forms on tooth surfaces throughout the day. Without proper removal, this bacterial plaque layer produces acids that dissolve tooth enamel minerals and cause dental decay. Brushing twice per day, and flossing regularly can prevent plaque from hardening into tartar (calculus) and developing into tooth decay. Always be sure to visit your dentist in Edmonton every 6 months for a professional dental cleaning and comprehensive checkup as well.

10.    Your Body Produces Approximately 10,000 Gallons of Protective Saliva Throughout Your Lifetime

Every day, your body produces around a quart of saliva from your salivary glands, which means a total of approximately 10,000 gallons throughout your lifetime. Saliva keeps your oral cavity clean and healthy as it contains digestive enzymes that wash away food particles and neutralizing compounds that counteract acids produced by plaque bacteria. It also contains minerals that help remineralize early tooth decay and aids your digestive system by beginning the breakdown of food.

Key Takeaways about Essential Dental Health Facts

• Your teeth create a unique biological identifier that differs even between identical twins, making dental records valuable for forensic investigations and identification purposes.
• Teeth structure resembles icebergs with approximately one-third hidden beneath the gums, which is why proper periodontal care and maintenance remains essential for overall tooth health and longevity.
• A complete adult set contains 32 teeth including 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars, while some dolphin species have up to 240 teeth.
• Tooth enamel, made primarily of calcium phosphate crystals called hydroxyapatite, functions as the hardest tissue in your body and provides critical protection against bacterial plaque formation and acid attacks.
• Despite its strength, enamel can chip from injuries and erode from acidic beverages, potentially requiring emergency dental services in Edmonton to address pain and prevent further damage.
• Yellow teeth often indicate underlying dental decay and enamel erosion rather than just surface staining, as thinning enamel reveals the yellowish dentin beneath.
• Unlike tooth enamel which stops forming early in development, dentin continues growing throughout life with new layers forming on the inner surface of your teeth’s pulp chambers.
• Your mouth hosts between 200-300 distinct bacterial species, with Streptococcus mutans being the primary culprit that converts sugars into acids that damage tooth enamel and cause decay.
• Gallery Dental recommends brushing twice daily and flossing regularly to prevent dental plaque from hardening into tartar and causing tooth decay or gum disease.
• Your body produces approximately 10,000 gallons of saliva throughout your lifetime, which helps neutralize harmful acids and remineralize early tooth decay while supporting digestive functions.