Tooth or False? 5 Fun Facts You May Not Know!

Tooth or False? 5 Fun Facts You May Not Know!

Dental Education Library Did you Know?

Being your top choice Mississauga dental team, we love to share important information and advice when it comes to great oral health. Dental health is a serious matter to ensure proper oral health, but who said it can’t be fun? Check out some of these fun facts that will make you smile!

1. Tooth enamel is the second strongest compound in the world after diamonds! This makes it the strongest substance in your entire body. Tooth enamel consists of mainly calcium and phosphate mineral crystals, which makes it stronger than even your bones. It is made up of 96% minerals and makes it one of the only few parts of your body that can’t fix itself, therefore maintaining healthy oral care is crucial to keep your all natural diamond smile nice and strong!
2. On average, a person produces about 2 to 4 pints of saliva a day. That equates to approximately 25,000 quarts in a lifetime! Saliva keeps your mouth hydrated, prevents bacteria from reproducing and causing cavities and bad breath. Saliva also contains a chemical called opiorphin that is six times more potent than morphine! According to a team of French researchers from Pasteur Institute in Paris, France , a study that included isolating opiorphin and injecting them into rats found that the chemical was so effective that the rats needed six times the amount of morphine to render the same effects! Unfortunately not everyone has an adequate amount of saliva and if you don’t it can be detrimental to your oral health. If you have any concerns about your saliva production speak with your dental professional at your next dental visit.
3. The jaw consists of the most powerful muscle in the body based on weight called the masseter. In conjunction to all the jaw muscles working together, the jaw can actually close the teeth with a brute force up to 55 pounds on the incisors or up to 200 pounds on the molars! Talk about a powerhouse mouth! We also know that with great power, comes great responsibility! If you know or suspect you grind your teeth, bringing it up at your next visit would be a good idea as a night guard may be advised. Teeth grinders often have stronger jaw muscles, so you want to make sure you still protect those pearly whites! When grinding or bruxism is a concern, your dental profession can help prevent further trauma or possibly damage to your teeth. Make sure to mention this at your next dental visit.
4. Patients who are expectant mothers have a high risk of delivering premature and low birth weight babies if there is a presence of Periodontal Disease. With the rise of hormones, morning sickness, and diet choices during pregnancy, your oral health is more susceptible to infection, disease and inflammation if proper oral hygiene care isn’t practiced. Be sure to let us know prior to treatment if you are pregnant so we can assure both you and baby are safe!
5. Scheduling regular dental hygiene appointments can help prevent heart attacks! We all know that keeping your teeth and gums clean helps steer clear of cavities and gum disease, so it’s important to have your hygiene treatments done regularly to help avoid exacerbating conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. When was your last hygiene appointment? As your Mississauga Dental Team we strive to ensure that your optimal oral health is our primary goal.

Call us today at (905) 278-4297 and we’d be more than happy to book an appointment for you!