What are teeth made of and 10 other facts you may not know about teeth

Everyone knows they should be brushing and flossing their teeth and gums daily, unfortunately that doesn’t mean they always do it. Those that really want a winning smile will opt for treatments to whiten them, and, if needed straighten them. If you want your smile to sparkle and to maintain your health, it is important to spend time caring for your teeth. But how often do you actually stop and think about what teeth are made of and why it is so important to care for them?

Here are 10 interesting facts about your teeth that you may know:

1. Our teeth are made up of four different types of tissue: pulp, dentin, enamel, and cementum. Cementum is the connective tissue that helps hold your teeth in place within your jawbone.
2. Teeth are covered in enamel, which is the hard, shiny surface that you see on the outside. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body.
3. Teeth don’t have marrow like bones, their blood supply comes from a substance called dental pulp, which also contains the nerves that cause you pain when you have a cavity or eat something cold.
4. Many people think that teeth and bones are made up of the same thing. They do have some similarities, but unlike bones, teeth cannot heal themselves or grow back together if they are broken.
5. Humans have several types of teeth including molars, canines and incisors. The Incisors help bite pieces from food; canines help hold and tear food apart and molars help grind food.
6. The tops of your teeth are called the crown, and the imprint they make is individual to each person, and can be used to identify you, just like fingerprints.
7. Children start getting teeth when they are between 4 and 7 months old. By the time they are 3, they usually have around 20 teeth.
8. Adult teeth reside underneath baby teeth, and as they become mature they begin to put pressure on the roots of the baby teeth, which dissolves them. This causes the baby teeth to fall out, leaving room for the permanent teeth. Adults usually have 32 permanent teeth by the time they reach maturity.
9. If your teeth are not properly cleaned, a mixture of bacteria and food, called plaque, can build up on them. As the bacteria feed on the sugary food build up, they produce an acid that dissolves the calcium minerals in enamel and dentine, which can eventually form a cavity.
10. If plaque is left on the tooth for a long period of time, it can harden into a chalky substance called tartar. Tartar can cause gum disease, which will eventually lead to tooth loss and can cause other health issues

Still have questions about your teeth? Our dentists, Dr. John Daugherty and Dr. Prabhidi Adhikari at Artistic Dental are experts that are always happy to answer questions! Schedule an appointment for a complimentary consultation, a checkup or cleaning, and find out more about how you can keep your smile healthy.

How affordable dentures can transform your smile

Dental implants are a great option for some people with missing or broken teeth, but they don’t work for everyone. Affordable dentures allow you to completely transform your smile even if implants aren’t an option.

Implants can be expensive and may not be fully covered by insurance plans. They also aren’t a great fit for everyone, especially people with unhealthy gums or brittle jawbones.

When people think of dentures, it often brings to mind visions of clunky, ill-fitting and obvious dental inserts. But as with many other aspects of dentistry, the technology behind dentures continues to improve greatly every year. New materials are now being used to improve the fit and provide increased comfort and a more natural look.

Wearing dentures will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of foods again, and will restore your confidence. Not only will dentures give you a bright, healthy smile, but they can also improve your appearance by adding shape and definition to your face that can make you look younger.

Quality and customization are key considerations when being fitted for dentures, as improperly fitted dentures can cause irritation, and which can lead to even more dental issues later on. If dentures fit well and are well taken care of, they can give you a beautiful, healthy smile for many years.

Come in and see us at Artistic Dental today or call (602) 840-5400 to set up a complimentary consultation to see if dentures are the right choice for you.