Here’re 8 fun facts and figures about your teeth worth knowing!

1. Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body? However, it can be destroyed by poor oral habits, excessive sugar intake and doing things like using your teeth to open bottle caps!
2. Flossing is just as important as brushing! Not flossing means you’re not cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. This is why it’s important to brush AND floss!
3. There are four different types of teeth.
   • • • Incisors are the four front teeth on the top and bottom jaw for cutting food.
       • The four canines are located on each side of your incisors on your top and bottom jaw and they help tear food.
       • We have eight premolars located next to our canines, four on top and four on the bottom for crushing food.
       • Our eight molars are the strongest teeth which mash food and work with the tongue to help us swallow.
4. Baby teeth start developing before birth but only come through when the child is between six and 12 months old. Most children will have all 20 of their baby teeth by the age of three.
5. People who drink three or more glasses of carbonated drinks a day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings and tooth loss compared to other people. Drop the soda and drink plain water to keep yourself hydrated and your teeth intact!
6. It is recommended to brush our teeth for at least two minutes to ensure that all the surfaces are clean
7. Brushing too hard could cause abrasions on the enamel and the gums which can lead to sensitive teeth. If you find yourself brushing too hard, switch to your non-dominant hand to lessen the pressure.
8. It’s best to change your toothbrush every three to four months to ensure that it keeps doing its job of cleaning your teeth properly.