OVERVIEW

Nothing is more welcoming than a bright and clean smile. Your mouth is a treasure trove of captivating revelations right from its intricate anatomy to certain unique physiologic phenomena. Here is a list of ten fascinating facts that reflect the sheer marvels within the confines of our mouths.

1. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body due to its high concentration of hydroxyapatite. Every bone in your body isn't as strong as your teeth' enamel

2. The tooth is the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself. This goes to say that when skin injuries heal, cut nails and hair grow back again; fractured bones can be mended back together but our body cannot regenerate tooth enamel.

3. No two sets of teeth are identical. In fact, not even twins share the same dental blueprint. A person‘s teeth are as exclusive as their fingerprints.

4. More than 700 different species of bacteria co-inhabit healthy human mouth. Interestingly, there are more bacteria in the human mouth than there are people on the Earth.

5. If you skip flossing, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces—that’s why flossing is an essential part of oral hygiene.

6. The average human being produces 100,000 gallons of saliva during their lifetime—enough to fill 2 swimming pools.

7. Tooth formation begins in the prenatal stages of life but doesn’t erupt until you are between 6-12 months old.

8. The tongue is the only muscle in the human body that works without any support from the skeleton.

9. Teeth, like your bones, are vital. They have their blood supply and nerves. When a tooth gets knocked out, it begins to perish within 15 minutes.

10. Stress can also have implications on dental health, as it can lead to teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and temporomandibular disorders.

(Original article/Dr. Vineesha V/MSM)