5 Interesting Dental Facts

At Dental Solutions of Avon and Indy, we love answering our patients’ questions on a wide range of topics relating to their oral health. We believe that your oral health is a fascinating topic and are passionate about educating our patients. Here are a few interesting dental facts you might not know!

1. You’ll Spend Almost 40 Days Brushing Your Teeth

The average American will spend 38.5 days brushing their teeth throughout their lifetime. While this may seem like a lot, consider the fact that regular brushing can help prevent a wide range of dental conditions, from cavities to gum disease. In the long run, you’re saving yourself time and discomfort by practicing good preventive care habits.

2. Tooth Enamel Is the Hardest Substance in Your Body

Believe it or not, your tooth enamel (the coating on your teeth) is the hardest substance in your body. It’s even harder than your bones! However, that doesn’t mean that your enamel is invincible. Enamel can be damaged by grinding your teeth, by bacteria that feed on sugar, and in many other ways.

3. Tooth Decay Is the Second Most Common Disease

Tooth decay is incredibly prevalent, second only to the common cold. Decay is due to a variety of factors, but one of the most important things you can do to avoid decay is practice good preventive care habits. Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and visit our office twice yearly for exams and cleaning.

4. The Lifespan of a Taste Bud Is 10 Days

There are five known tastes detected by taste buds on your tongue: bitter, sour, salty, sweet, and umami. While taste buds are responsible for much of your enjoyment of food, their life span is only 10 days!

5. Your Saliva Can Fill Two Swimming Pools

The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva over their lifetime – enough to fill two swimming pools! While this amount of spit might seem gross, your saliva is an incredibly important tool for your body. It eases digestion and protects against disease.

Do you have any interesting dental facts to add to our list? Let us know at your next appointment. Give us a call to ask us any dental-related questions or to schedule a visit.