Toothwise Wisdom

Toothwise Wisdom

• Tooth enamel is the hardest part of our body, stronger than bone.
• Humans have 2 sets of teeth, primary – 20 +, permanent – 32.
• An adult has 4 different types of teeth namely incisors, canines, premolars and molars.
• Your teeth are uniquely yours like fingerprints.
• Dental caries is one of the most common diseases of the human body.
• Teeth are like icebergs, 2/3rd of each tooth is buried under the gums.
• Teeth have 200 lb. of bite force.
• Teeth start developing much before a baby is born.
• Rarely, some babies are born with teeth.
• Teeth play a major role in oral/ first phase of digestion.
• Stress can lead to clenching or grinding of teeth, which can also attrite the tooth enamel, causing cracks and sensitivity.
• Healthy gums are firm and coral pink in colour.
• Red, swollen gums, gum bleeding and bad breath are signs of gum diseases.
• A common oral finding during pregnancy is gum inflammation and bleeding called pregnancy gingivitis, which usually settles post-partum.
• Skin diseases and many autoimmune disease can manifest itself on the gums.
• Gum disease if left untreated, may affect the tissues and bone surrounding the tooth, making the tooth mobile resulting in loss of tooth.
• Early detection and treatment of gum problems followed by regular maintenance ensures healthy gums and teeth.
• Saliva has got the enzyme ptyalin which helps in carbohydrate metabolism (breaking down sugar).
• Saliva acts as a lubricant and makes swallowing easier.
• Saliva is the primary defence mechanism against oral bacteria.
• 3 major salivary glands and multiple minor salivary glands are present in the oral cavity.
• Daily salivary secretion is around 1-1.5 litres.
• The hormone-related changes during menopause also affect the oral cavity and have an impact on the salivary secretion.
• Our sense of taste needs saliva to work. We cannot taste the food unless it is mixed with saliva.
• The tongue contains between 2000-3000 taste-buds.
• Taste-buds contain chemoreceptors that respond to chemicals from food and other substances that are dissolved by saliva in the mouth.
• Sublingual route (below the tongue) is one of the fastest and easiest modes of drug administration.
• Smiles use from 5 to 53 facial muscles. Just smiling can require your body to use up to 53 muscles, but some smiles only use 5 muscle movements.
• Key to good oral hygiene – brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes.
• Excessive brushing can also cause abrasion of the enamel causing sensitivity.
• The ideal brushing technique to be followed varies with age, based on the dentition.
• The mouth is the gateway to the human body. Healthy mouth = healthy you.