An insight into why it's important to know more about your teeth than just brushing twice a day!
Dental health, as we know it and from what dentists tell us, we need to brush our teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, floss and use mouthwash… Sounds pretty simple, doesn’t it! However, a healthy mouth means much more. We only really start to panic when problems arise with our teeth, so to help prevent these problems, here are some facts about our teeth and how important it is to be familiar with them.
Have you ever wondered what our teeth are made of? So have we!
Or maybe you haven't really thought about it because you've always assumed teeth are made of bone.
And you'd be forgiven for thinking so. After all, teeth are strong and white, just like bones. They also stores calcium, just like bones. It seems obvious that they should be made of bones, right?
Well, once upon a time, we wondered what teeth were made of. And in case you were wondering the same thing, we made sure we had all the answers you need right here.
If teeth and bones are different, then what are bones made of?
Bones are mainly made up of two things; a collagen structure, which is a protein. And calcium phosphate, which is a mineral.
Collagen gives bones a soft framework, but it is calcium that makes them hard and strong.
So, what are teeth made of?
Your teeth are made of enamel. You know the hard outer layer of your teeth? That's enamel. And it's made up of minerals such as calcium phosphate.
Enamel is harder than bone. It's the hardest substance in your entire body, to be exact. It has no nerves. And unlike other parts of your body, enamel can't regenerate. Nature only gave us two sets of teeth, and once they're gone, they're gone.
“"Enamel is harder than bone. It's the hardest substance in your entire body."”
Directly beneath the enamel, there is a bone-like tissue known as dentin – which makes up most of the structure of teeth.
The soft core of your tooth is the pulp, and it is a living tissue that has nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue inside.
Are there any other differences besides what they are made of?
The biggest difference between how teeth and bones work is how they heal.
If you break a bone, your body immediately begins the healing process. But if you chip a tooth, you'll need a dentist to fix it. Similarly, if you develop a cavity, new enamel won't grow in and fill in the decayed area, so you'll need to see a dentist to treat it.
“"If you break a bone, your body immediately begins the healing process. But if you chip a tooth, you'll need a dentist to fix it."”
This happens because enamel has no living tissue in it, so it cannot make a callus to heal itself.
And this is why it is so important to have good oral habits.
How do I protect my teeth?
Keeping your teeth healthy doesn't have to be a daunting task. Here are some quick and easy tips you can incorporate into your daily routine to keep your teeth in optimal condition. 👇
- Brush your teeth for about 2 minutes, at least twice a day.
- Use an electric toothbrush to optimize cleaning
- Fluoride is super important, so make sure you get a toothpaste that contains this ingredient.
- Use dental floss and interdental brushes & visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
Source: enlightensmiles.com
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