According to a 2018 study, about 61 percent of an 18,000 sample suffer from an irrational fear of going to the dentist. Like all phobias, this one is also highly irrational. No one’s ever died from getting regular dental checkups, but try telling that to people who face dentophobia (fear of dentists)
Having good oral hygiene isn’t just about aesthetics, it is key to a healthy happy life and good oral hygiene is as much about getting medical exams regularly as it is about brushing and flossing. We’ve rounded up four interesting facts about your teeth, so that the next time you get into the dentist’s chair, you’re armed with some knowledge. Don’t worry, none of these will make you squirm.
Fact No.1: Nobody Has Teeth Quite Like Yours
Like fingerprints, teeth are unique to an individual. They start to form when you are in the womb but don’t emerge from the gums till an infant is between 6 and 12 months. This set of teeth is called milk teeth and as a child grows, they fall off and give way to a permanent set of teeth. The milk teeth and your adult set of teeth are the only two sets of teeth you’ll get as a human being and the permanent ones will see you to a ripe old age, if you take care of them.
Fact No.2: A Third Of Each Tooth Is Invisible
You can only see two-thirds of your tooth since the rest is hidden underneath the gum. Keeping your gums healthy when you’re young is the only way to care for this invisible portion of your tooth. Pink and firm gums are a sign of healthy gums. Redness, soreness or sensitivity could be a symptom of gum disease. As you age, the gums can recede a little exposing more of your tooth and leaving you with a greater sensitivity to extreme temperatures.
Fact No.3: Tooth Enamel Is The Hardest Part Of The Human Body
The outer layer of your tooth is called the enamel and it is a highly mineralized hard shell that protects the inner layers of the tooth. Enamel is made of calcium and phosphate and acts as a barrier not only to the tooth against acids and plaque (a soft substance that coats unclean teeth) but the nerves against extreme temperatures. If you chip your enamel by biting something hard or by accident your body doesn’t replace it… it’s the only part of human anatomy that doesn’t have living cells. Enamel can decay if it is exposed to the sugars and acids found in soft drinks.
Fact No.4: There’s Nothing Wise About Having Wisdom Teeth
Your wisdom teeth grow in at the back of your mouth between the ages of 17 and 21 (when you’re supposed to have more wisdom). You get four teeth, two at the top and two at the bottom and these make up the last of the 32 adult teeth human beings have. Despite the name, your wisdom teeth won’t make you smarter. They’re often more trouble than they’re worth. They often grow out misaligned, causing pain and discomfort.