What’s going on in and around your mouth? What are some dental facts that maybe you didn’t know about? Let’s briefly discuss these as your dentist in Norwalk weighs in with 5 fun facts about your mouth and teeth. He will also give you some tips on how to protect this very important area of your body through improved habits and preventive dentistry.

5 Fun Facts About Your Mouth and Teeth

• Smile More – Studies show that children smile 400 times a day and adults only 15. Another data set reveals that women grin 62 times a day while men only show their pearly-whites eight times. One reason that adults sometimes smile less is because of insecurities about the way their teeth look. Furthermore, women tend to be more diligent about their oral care than men. Could this be one of the reasons they smile more?
• The Hardest Substance – If you’re searching for the hardest substance in your body, then look no further than the enamel of your teeth. The irony, though, is that it is still very sensitive and can be damaged by harsh abrasives and acids.
• Dominant Hand, Dominant Chew – Interestingly enough, you chew more on the side related to your dominant hand. It’s a good idea, though, to try to move your food around so that you don’t cause uneven wear to one side.
• Unique Teeth – Just like each person has a unique set of fingerprints, every one of us also has a distinguishable teeth profile. So please sign on the line and bite down to leave your teeth print.
• Red and Blue Battle – For some reason, people prefer blue toothbrushes over red. Is there a conspiracy against the color ‘red?’

How to Protect Your Mouth and Teeth

It’s fun to take a look at some of the quirky facts surrounding your dental functions, but what’s not fun is tooth decay. So to prevent this from occurring and to protect your oral cavity, here are some simple tips to keep in mind:

• Practice Oral Hygiene – The main two forms of oral hygiene are brushing and flossing your teeth. Many people may slack on flossing because they think brushing is the most important part, but studies show that when you only brush, you are leaving 40 percent of your teeth soiled. That means that bacteria are still there festering and growing.
• Eat Healthier – Another simple way to protect your teeth is to make healthier food choices. It doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a delight here and there, but the majority of your food should come from fruits, vegetables and other natural sources.
• Visit Your Dentist – One of the greatest assets you have in your quest for oral health, is your dentist. When you take the initiative to visit him at least semi-annually for cleanings and checkups, you are moving boldly in the direction of dental wellness and placing a major dent in bacteria.

So are you ready to enjoy beautiful and healthy teeth? If so, then reach out to your dentist today to schedule your first appointment!

About the Author

Dr. Norman C. Sommers earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He would later go on to complete dental implant training at Midwest Implant Institute and obtain a certification in CEREC CAD/CAM dentistry. Dr. Sommers practices at Sommers Family Dentistry, DDS and can be reached for more information through his website.