Think you know everything about your teeth? Put your knowledge to the test with these five true/false questions about your oral health.
1. True or False: Your teeth are the hardest bones in your body.
Answer: True. Dental enamel is, in fact, the strongest substance found in your body. This is because dental enamel (the white part of your tooth) is not only made with phosphate and calcium like the rest of your bones, but they are also formed by proteins that make them stronger. This allows your teeth to remain intact even when chewing your foods. That said, we would not recommend using your teeth for any tasks other than chewing—such as opening containers—as this can still damage your teeth!
2. True or False: Your body makes 5,000 gallons of saliva in your lifetime.
Answer: False. Actually, your body makes about double this amount in your lifetime—that’s a whopping 10,000 gallons of saliva! Saliva is of critical importance for your oral health. It helps you to break down your food, neutralizes the harmful acids that could otherwise lead to tooth decay, and washes away food particles from your teeth. That’s why, to maintain your oral health, your body produces a round of one quart of saliva each day.
3. True or False: Dental hygiene is a relatively modern concept.
Answer: False. This may come as a surprise, but humans have been maintaining their oral health for centuries! In fact, the first toothbrushes were said to be twigs that our ancestors chewed on, using the frayed ends to scrub their teeth. Even back in 5000 B.C., the Egyptians are thought to have used ground animal hooves and crushed egg shells to clean their teeth. That said, Americans didn’t begin brushing their teeth twice per day until after World War II, when soldiers were required to do so and brought the routine back home with them after their service.
4. True or False: You will spend more than a month of your lifetime brushing your teeth.
Answer: True. If the average American added up all of the time spent brushing their teeth over the course of their lifetime, it would add up to around 38.5 days in total. The time and effort is definitely worth it! By brushing your teeth at least twice a day for around 2 minutes each, you can prevent a number of harmful oral health issues including periodontal disease, tooth decay, and more!
5. True or False: Your teeth are completely unique to you.
Answer: True. If you ever watch crime shows on television, you’ve probably heard of dental records being used to identify people. This is because no two people have the same teeth—even identical twins! Your teeth can tell a whole lot about you as well. Just by examining your teeth, a scientist can determine how old you are, your diet, even where you’ve lived. Your teeth can even show when you’ve had periods of illness or stress. All in all, your teeth are a natural personal record of you!
According to the American Dental Association, you should get your routine teeth cleaning at least once every six months. To schedule your next check-up, call Caputo Dental in Naperville today!