Broken skin heals, broken bones mend, and cut hair grows back (if you’re lucky), so why don’t teeth regenerate themselves if lost, or at least heal themselves when damaged? The fact that they don’t possess self-repair cells is but one little-known fact about the interesting world of teeth. For more fun dental health facts, keep reading!
Did You Know?
- Your teeth don’t heal because, ideally, they shouldn’t have to. The semi-translucent enamel that covers and protects your teeth is the strongest substance your body produces. In fact, healthy tooth enamel is stronger than any other substance on earth, except for diamonds.
- Don’t take our word for it: Scientists are so impressed with tooth enamel and its ability to sustain damage that they’re attempting to replicate its structure to protect future generations of aircraft and spacecraft. We assume it’s with the exception that they won’t have to continuously brush and floss the aircraft to keep them clean and strong.
- Although an infant’s first tooth doesn’t show up for several months after birth, primary teeth begin developing while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. To help your child grow strong, healthy teeth, be sure to consume plenty of calcium and tooth-essential minerals and nutrients during your pregnancy.
- Does your mouth feel a little dry? Dry mouth, or xerostomia, describes a decrease, or complete cessation, of saliva production. Besides feeling uncomfortable, the lack of saliva (your mouth’s natural rinse) can create a hospitable environment for harmful oral bacteria that attack, weaken, and infect your teeth.
- Not all of your permanent teeth are important. Wisdom teeth (so called because they erupt when you’re older and wiser) are the four last molars to erupt on your dental ridge. With little room left by the 28 teeth already present, wisdom teeth often cause severe discomfort and other problems by becoming impacted and pushing against existing molars. Wisdom teeth are the only teeth that can be extracted, and often need to be, without the need to replace them to restore your mouth’s function.
ABOUT YOUR ROCHESTER DENTISTS:
Calcagno Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offer expert services including teeth whitening, Six Month Smiles, Clear Aligner Systems, root canals, and pediatric dentistry. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 218-8936. Dr. Calcagno and Dr. Heimer welcome and serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, Austin, and the surrounding communities.
