Teeth aren’t something people think about much. If you asked most people why they brush their teeth they would probably say it’s because they don’t want their breath to smell bad or they don’t like the feeling of debris building up on their tooth surfaces. Those who have had dental challenges would probably respond that they brush because it’s the best way to minimize the discomfort and cost of dental care. Whatever the reason, taking care of your teeth is important, because your teeth are actually more important than you may know.
Teeth are the anchor to complete health, affecting everything from eating and speaking to self-confidence and overall comfort.
Proper Eating and Digestion
Chewing is the beginning of digestion and teeth are the tools we need to chew our food. The first step in digestion begins in the mouth when your teeth break down your food aided by the enzymes in saliva. Your mouth is specifically equipped to break down your food with various teeth serving different functions.
Molars, located at the top and bottom in the back of your mouth, have large surfaces which function to help grind food. In front of the molars are teeth called premolars which crush food. At the front of your mouth are the incisors, which have sharp edges which are made for cutting and tearing food. Some interesting facts about teeth include:
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- One of the hardest substances in the human body is the outer surface of your teeth, which is called enamel.1 Unfortunately, some of the 70 different types of bacteria that live in your mouth can destroy enamel, causing cavities.
- No two teeth in your mouth are the same.2
- Flossing reaches the 40 percent of your tooth surface not reached by brushing teeth.3
- Dental features such as shape, size, restorations, missing teeth, wear patterns, etc., are unique to each individual.4
Appeal and Self Confidence
Appearance is another area where teeth play an important role. People with missing teeth, crooked teeth, gaps in their teeth or discoloration of their teeth are often perceived as not as attractive as those with perfect teeth and a bright, white smile. People with teeth issues are often relegated to closed-mouth smiles or no smiles at all. That is unfortunate, as smiling has some powerful benefits.
Research reveals that smiling can make you look younger and thinner as well as making you seem courteous, likable and competent and it elevates your mood and sense of well-being by releasing dopamine, endorphins and serotonin into your system.5
Comprehensive Health
The health of your teeth and mouth also has a direct correlation to your overall health. Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2019 revealed that improved oral hygiene care, including frequent tooth brushing and professional dental cleanings, was associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.6
Oral bacteria and inflammation have also been associated with inflammation of the lining of the hear (endocarditis) and premature births and low birth weight.
With so many good reasons to care for your precious teeth, why not make a resolution in the New Year to do even one thing to improve your oral health? You could add another session of daily tooth brushing with a soft bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste for two minutes. You could commit to floss your teeth at least once a day. You could make sure to visit your dentist every six months to have your teeth cleaned and examined. You could stop or reduce smoking. You could limit sugary food and beverages. You could increase the amount of healthy foods — like fruits and vegetables — in your diet. None of these activities are hard but you do have to work hard to make them into a lifelong habit.
Visiting the Dentist
If you have concerns about your dental health our Walled Lake Dental Office is here to help. Dr. Hechtman has been providing premium dental care for more than 40 years, stays current with the newest proven techniques and is committed to the longevity of a healthy smile.
We offer the latest technology in modern dentistry, including a comprehensive list of general, restorative and cosmetic dental care services to meet the needs of your entire family. The New Year is around the corner, call our dental office in Walled Lake for a Free Dental Consultation!
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1 How Your Teeth Affect Your Digestive System by Flora Stay, DDS
Link: https://totalhealthmagazine.com/Dental-Health/How-Your-Teeth-Affect-Your-Digestive-System.html#:~:text=How%20Your%20Teeth%20Affect%20Your%20Digestive%20System%201,gums%20up%20to%2012%20hours%20More%20items…%20
2 Fun Dental Facts, Interesting Statistics and Trivia for the US
Link: https://www.dentaly.org/us/dental-facts-statistics/
3 Brushing and Flossing Overview
Link: https://dentalhealthtoday.com/index.html@p=120.html
4 Dental Evidence in Forensic Identification – An Overview, Methodology and Present Status by Kewal Krishan, Tanuj Kanchan and Arun K Garg
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4541412/%20showed%20the%20water,33%25%2C%2039%25%2C%20and%2024%25%2C%20respectively%20%28p%20%3C%200.001%29.
5 The 9 Superpowers of Your Smile by Meg Selig, 5/25/2016
Link: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201605/the-9-superpowers-your-smile
6 Improved Oral Hygiene Care is Associated with Decreased Risk of Occurrence for Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure: A nationwide population-based cohort study by Yoonkyung Change, Ho Geol Woo and Jin Park, 12/1/2019
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319886018