You might not have had much to smile about lately. That is understandable given the times that we live in. As a result of these times, you might have missed some of the fun trivia about the little things that make us think, scratch our heads in confusion, or just smile unexpectedly.
Speaking of smiling, more insurance plans are offering coverage and discounts for products like clear braces, crowns, and other pricey procedures that can improve that smile. We tend to take our teeth for granted because we don't notice them most of the time. Except for when we look in a mirror, we never see our teeth. These days, almost no one sees our teeth because we are all wearing masks every time we leave the house.
Out of sight tends to be out of mind when it comes to oral hygiene and dental health care. Many of us have been letting it slide. Brushing slides from after every meal, to twice a day, to once a day, to once every Thursday. Flossing is usually the first thing to go. Teeth cannot stay healthy when neglected too long. So to remind you that your cracker-crunchers need a little attention, here are a few facts about them that you might not have known:
1. You Might Soon Be Able to Grow Them Back
By now, everybody knows that once you lose your adult teeth, you will never get them back. That is because teeth don't grow back like fingernails. They are more like brain cells. There are permanent consequences for abusing them.
What you might not have known is that scientists have been working on a way to regrow teeth in 2 months. If they manage to pull it off, this will be a major boon to those who have lost teeth, and a major blow to dentists worldwide. Provided the procedure is physically available and financially accessible to most people, it will represent a huge step in medical science.
2. Teeth are Harder Than Bone, But Not Particularly Durable
Teeth are not bones. They are often spoken of in the same sentence as bones. We hear certain vitamins being described as being good for teeth and bones, as if they were mostly the same thing. That simply isn't the case. Teeth are harder than bones. Enamel is crazy strong. But not crazy durable. Just think about the last time you cracked a tooth while eating something like popcorn. It happens all the time.
Until those scientists get around to regrowing teeth, what we know right now is that enamel does not grow back. Bones do. So you have to be careful with your teeth and take care of the ones you have because nature is pretty stingy when it comes to handing them out.
3. Why Teeth Start to Look Yellow
Dentin is a dense and hard bone-like tissue just beneath the enamel of your teeth. Dentin also happens to be yellow. If your teeth look yellow, it is not necessarily because you just ate some yellow squash. It is probably because your enamel has worn thin and has become translucent.
4. It Is Possible to Brush Too Soon
How soon do you brush after you eat? This is an important question because it is possible to brush too soon. Those who are the most conscientious about their teeth are the ones most likely to brush immediately after meals. That is a big mistake. Brushing within 30 minutes after eating and drinking certain things can weaken your enamel. You should wait at least an hour after eating before brushing.
5. Keep Toothpaste Out of Reach of Children
Fluoride is poison. Some scientists say that fluoride might not even help prevent tooth decay. They say there is enough fluoride to kill a small child in every tube of toothpaste. If you have one of those children who likes to eat everything they can get their hands on, keep the toothpaste at a safe distance.
Covid restrictions will be around for at least another six months according to the health experts. But that doesn't mean there is nothing to smile about. So be sure to pay special attention to your teeth. Because when the mask comes off, everyone else surely will.
