Sink Your Teeth Into Some Dental Trivia

Here’s a riddle for you:

Thirty-two white horses on a red hill,
First they champ,
Then they stamp,
Then they stand still.

The answer:
Your teeth.

Our teeth are extremely useful tools. But how much do you actually know about those 32 pearly whites that do so much for you?

Whet your whistle with a few of these fun dental facts:

  • Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body.
  • Teeth contain stem cells. Researchers are using dental stem cells to regrow human teeth. If successful, this technology would mean we can biologically replace lost adult teeth.
  • Teeth are incapable of self-repair, unlike other bones and parts of the body.
  • According to the ADA, kids in prehistoric times likely did not experience tooth decay since refined sugar was not a part of their diet.
  • Tooth decay is actually classified as an infectious disease because it is caused by a particular strain of bacteria passed between multiple people.
  • Tooth decay is the second most common disease after the common cold.
  • 25% of adults DO NOT brush twice a day, increasing their risk of developing tooth decay by 33%.
  • 90% of systemic diseases have oral manifestations.
  • The hundreds of salivary glands in your mouth produce about a quart of liquid a day—enough to fill two medium-size bathtubs annually.
  • Enzymes in your saliva actually begin the digestive process right there in your mouth; breaking down starches and fats while lubricating your food so that you can swallow it.
  • The human tongue is as unique as a fingerprint. No two people have the same tongue print.
  • There are more bacteria in the human mouth than people on the Earth.

You work hard to keep your smile beautiful, and hopefully one or two of these fun facts allowed you to put it good use!

At Beavers Dentistry, we understand that going to the dentist isn’t something most people do for the sake of enjoyment. That’s why we do our best to find the fun that sometimes gets lost in the industry. Our warm and welcoming team at our Cary office takes great care to make sure your experience is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Contact us today to find out more about our practice or schedule an appointment.