The Top 5 Most Amazing Facts About Teeth

Facts about teeth that will make you appreciate them even more.

One of the amazing facts about teeth is that the average American spends a total of 38.5 days over the course of their lifetime brushing their teeth.

There’s good reason for this! While many consider the entirety of the human body to be a miracle, teeth are even more extraordinary than most parts. Not only do they assist in speech, food consumption, and general appearance, but they also have always been evolving to meet the needs of the human race.

Here, we’re going to tell you some of the most interesting facts about teeth so that you can understand their importance and intrigue. Read on for some reasons that you should be in awe of your mouth!

1. Teeth come in incrementally.

If you’ve spent any time with a baby, you’ll have noted that their teeth don’t all come in at once. However, what you may not have noticed is that they come in multiple stages. Interestingly, the development of teeth doesn’t begin at birth—it begins about six weeks into the mother’s pregnancy!

During gestation, the basic substance of the new baby’s tooth begins to form. In order for this to happen, the mother must consume an appropriate amount of calcium (which makes up bones), phosphorous, as well as vitamins C and D. Then, after three to four months of pregnancy, the hard tissue that surrounds the teeth begins to form inside the baby’s gums.

The next step occurs after the baby is born. A few months after birth, the teeth will begin to grow through the gums. As you can imagine, this causes a lot of discomfort as it’s happening, but it’s a totally natural stage of life. These baby teeth will be lost within the first 10 or so years of the child’s life to make way for the adult teeth that they’ll have forever.

2. Humans get two sets of teeth.

Speaking of having teeth forever, every person only gets two sets of teeth in their lifetime: their baby teeth and their permanent adult teeth. Adult teeth come in as a person grows up because the baby teeth become too small for the gums. The adult teeth push them out and grow in much harder and stronger than the baby teeth were.

There are 32 permanent teeth, including four premolars and six molars in each arch of the mouth. Most of these will be in your mouth by the time you’re around 12, but there are a set of four teeth called ‘wisdom teeth’ that don’t come in until your late teens or early 20s.

Because you will only get one set of adult teeth, it’s crucial that you take care of them appropriately. This means brushing and flossing twice a day, visiting the dentist regularly, and treating any tooth or gum issues as soon as they arise. Remember that teeth are a rare miracle, and they’re something that you need in order to live a thriving life!

3. There are four main types of teeth.

In the human mouth, there are four kinds of teeth.

The first of these tooth types are called incisors. These refer to the eight teeth in the center of your mouth, the four on the bottom and four on the top. These teeth are used to bite into food and are the main feature of a person’s gorgeous smile. They’re also the first adult teeth that children tend to develop, which shows how important they are!

The next teeth in your mouth are called canines. There are four of these teeth in your mouth, and they lie next to your incisors. Their primary purpose is to rip food, especially meat, apart. Many scientists have cited the development of incisors as evidence that humans were made to eat meat.

Premolars sit beside your canine teeth and are used for grinding and crushing the food that you eat. While all the other teeth we’ve talked about so far are sharp and good for tearing into things, premolars are completely flat. They act as tools for grinding up the food that you eat so that you can have an easier time swallowing and digesting.

Your molars are similar to premolars in that they grind and crush food, but they’re larger. In fact, they’re the biggest teeth in your mouth! Their large and flat biting surface makes them necessary for chewing.

Without all four types, we wouldn’t be able to speak or eat as effectively as possible. Clearly, humans have evolved some really cool and unique oral features over time to help us survive.

4. Teeth adapt to their owners.

Speaking of evolution and adaptation, teeth adapt over time to become perfect for any species.

Humans are natural omnivores and many people point to the teeth as evidence of this. Animals with diverse types of teeth tend to be omnivores because there are different types of teeth needed to eat meat versus plants. People have both—the canine teeth are similar to the sharp fangs of carnivores like cats and snakes, while our premolars and molars have flat surfaces for grinding plants as herbivores do.

Human beings are, of course, not the only kind of animal whose teeth have adapted to their diet. In the past, many dinosaurs that snakes and birds evolved from were herbivores. However, as their diets changed, the animals adapted to have large canine teeth that were meant for tearing meat apart. If you do a little online research, you’ll note that animals who live in areas where there are many plants to eat have flat teeth while those who live the lifestyle of predators have sharp teeth.

It’s great science!

5. Dental health equates to overall health.

Studies suggest that having good dental health leads to positive overall health. This might be one of the most important facts about teeth. People have linked cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and endocarditis to oral health complications, among other less common diseases. Stopping harmful bacteria in the mouth is essential to halting their progression towards the heart and lungs, so brushing and flossing often are necessary.

If you begin to notice tooth decay—a totally natural part of life—then you may want to consider getting dental implants. Replacing missing teeth actually saves your remaining beautiful, natural teeth. It stops the spread of decay and therefore stops bacteria from building up in the mouth.

Beyond Facts About Teeth

While the human body is a miracle in and of itself, your teeth are one of the most amazing and interesting parts of your body.

Now that you know some amazing facts about teeth and why it’s crucial that you take care of them appropriately, it’s time to look into getting dental care. Schedule an appointment with our oral health professionals for any issues that you may want to rectify. Whether you simply want routine care and cleaning or whether you think that dental implants might be right for you, our experts have your back (and your mouth).

How to Improve Your Outlook on Life

Self-care

Transforming your life by changing your outlook.

“Age is just a number.” You’ve likely heard—and perhaps scoffed at—this saying dozens of times over the years. Despite what your joints might be telling you, there’s actually truth to it; you can’t stop the aging process, but much of aging is related to your mindset. Improving your outlook on life can impact every area of your life, from your attitude and relationships to the health of your mind and body. Changing your outlook does take work, but it can help you feel younger and live a happier, healthier, and even longer life. Here are practical ways you can improve your outlook on life.

Get plenty of sleep.

Start each day right by getting between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. This may sound like a small action, but how much sleep you’re getting impacts your body on very real physical and mental levels. When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re more likely to be on edge, grumpy, and even depressed while struggling to feel empathetic, friendly, or happy. In contrast, getting enough sleep can help get your day off to a positive start, framing your interactions with people in a better light and helping you feel friendlier. So it’s worth it to shuffle your schedule around a little bit to ensure you’re getting enough sleep.

Maintain positive social connections.

Staying connected to other people has a surprisingly massive impact on your physical and emotional health—and never more so than now. Feeling socially isolated can cause feelings of anxiety and depression; one study even found that it’s more dangerous to your health than high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking. People who feel connected and supported by a healthy social group, however, benefit from a positive sense of well-being and a 50% increased chance of longevity.

Do your best to build and stay connected to a social group. This keeps you actively engaged in life instead of feeling like it’s passing you by. No matter how old or experienced you are, you still need a support system you can laugh with, confide in, and go to for help or advice. If your loved ones live far away, and while social distancing is in place, plan regular video chats with them so you can see their faces.

Take good care of your body.

Do your best to take good care of your body by eating a healthy diet, practicing good oral hygiene to care for your natural teeth and implants, and exercising for about 30 minutes every day. These positive lifestyle choices will keep you healthy, preventing the negativity that health issues can cause, and will actively help you feel more positive. For example, exercising lowers the levels of stress hormones in your blood and triggers the release of endorphins, which leaves you feeling relaxed and happy. Regular exercise also helps you sleep better and feel more energetic, all of which will boost your positivity levels. If you struggle with issues like joint pain, you can practice gentle forms of exercise like swimming, yoga, or even simply walking through one of the beautiful parks Philadelphia has to offer.

Replace negativity with gratitude.

It’s natural to complain every once in a while, but do your best to limit how often you do. Complaining frequently can be a sign of a negative outlook, but it can also worsen that outlook because it centers your attention on the negative aspects of your life. Instead, be intentional about focusing on the positive and practicing gratitude. One way you can do this is to start a gratitude journal, where you write a few things you’re grateful for at the end of every day. This doubles as a great way for you to look back on each year and remember acts of kindness that you may have otherwise forgotten. While this might feel difficult or strange at first, being intentional about positivity and gratitude can actually retrain your brain to think positively first, improving your overall outlook on life.

Find a purpose and give back to others.

Whether you’re still working or retired, finding a purpose is essential to improving your outlook on life—your purpose is what gets you out of bed in the morning, ready and excited for a new day. It can be a desire to travel, caring for your grandchildren, increasing your skill in a hobby, or volunteering; whatever it is, it should make you feel happy and fulfilled. Giving back to others through volunteer work is a common purpose, especially once people have retired. While it doesn’t need to be your purpose, it’s still worth doing. When you give back to others, you’re not just helping other people—you’re also improving your own outlook on life. Studies have repeatedly shown that serving others gives you a surge of happiness, lowers your stress levels, increases your satisfaction with your life, and even improves your physical health.

Let loose and have some fun.

Have you ever noticed that having a good laugh leaves you feeling content and relaxed? That’s because laughing activates and relieves your stress response, helping to replace feelings of anxiety and depression with happiness. So letting loose and having fun is good for you—physically and mentally! While everyone’s movements are restricted at the moment, you can still organise a group Zoom call with family, play a remote group board game like scribble.io, or even sync your Netflix so you can watch movies with friends.

It’s easy to slip into a negative mindset. Putting in the work to rebuild your positivity and care for your body and mind alike can make a huge difference in your daily life. Since the health of your body and mind are so connected, forming these habits can help you live a longer, happier, and healthier life.

How Dental Implants Have Changed in the Last 10 Years

Implants use cutting-edge technology to give patients realistic tooth replacements.

Dental implants are the best modern method to permanently replace teeth, providing a deeply rooted prosthetic tooth that looks and feels natural, protecting your overall oral health, and preventing bone loss in your jaw—all without requiring dental work on nearby healthy teeth, which tooth replacements like bridges do. Over the years, advances in technology have made implants more affordable, effective, easier to receive, and more successful than ever before—and new technology is continuing to improve the treatment. Here are a few ways dental implants have changed in the last 10 years.

Digital CT imaging helps dentists plan the placement of your implant’s “root”.

Finding the right placement for the “root” of your dental implant is a huge part of guaranteeing the procedure’s long-term success, so it’s vital to get it right. Digital CT imaging is comfortable and easy, taking only 20 seconds to scan your entire mouth. It uses this scan to produce a 3D digital image of your teeth and jaws, which Dr. Bentz uses to determine the ideal placement for your tooth implant. This technology is more accurate, less invasive, and quicker than previous methods, saving you time while helping Dr. Bentz provide you with the best possible surgical outcome.

Digital impressions make messy, nasty-tasting putty unnecessary.

Until recently, designing the crown of your implant required dentists to use a messy, nasty-tasting putty to take an impression of your teeth. Thankfully, new technology has put putty firmly in the rear-view; instead, Dr. Bentz takes digital impressions of your teeth using a handheld laser scanner. The wand is about the size of an electric toothbrush and simply needs to be passed over your teeth to create a highly detailed 3D model of your teeth. Since even a few air bubbles can ruin an impression taken by putty, digital scans are more accurate as well as quicker, easier, and more comfortable for you. Additionally, Dr. Bentz can use the accurate 3D model to easily design a crown to top your dental implant, ensuring it fits perfectly.

Lasers cut down on recovery time.

Dental lasers might sound like they belong in a science fiction novel, but they’re in use in many dental offices across America—and they offer multiple benefits when compared with traditional dental tools. Lasers are incredibly precise, quick tools that cauterize and sterilize tissue as they cut, so using a laser instead of a scalpel during your procedure minimizes bleeding and swelling, reduces your chances of getting an infection, and encourages faster healing. These factors work together to allow you a faster recovery time with less discomfort, which is always preferable.

OraVerse reduces the time you’ll spend with a numb mouth.

Even if you haven’t experienced it yourself, you’ve likely heard of the infamous “fat lip” sensation caused by the lingering numbness of dental anesthetics. This sensation, which can last three to five hours after your dental procedure, is infamous for making people feel awkward and self-conscious. It makes drinking, eating, and speaking awkward, can cause drooling, and can easily cause you to bite your lip or cheek without realizing it.

Thankfully, recent advances have led to the development of OraVerse, which is the first safe, effective reversal agent for the local anesthetics used by dentists. Since OraVerse actively reverses the anesthetic, you’ll regain normal sensation in your mouth in about half the time it’d take if you waited for the anesthetic to wear off. This allows you to return to your daily routine of work or errands with confidence.

Technological improvements have caused the success rate of dental implants to soar.

Thanks to technological advancements, implants have an incredibly high success rate—in fact, their success rate is up to 98%. This is particularly true if you receive your tooth implant at a specialty clinic like Bentz Dental Implant and Prosthodontic Center, which specializes in the procedure and uses cutting-edge technology to give you the best possible outcome in both the short and long term. If you take good care of your dental implant, it should last you an entire lifetime.

New advances in technology are constantly improving medical procedures like dental implants. They have made the procedure more accessible to everyone while helping patients receive a better outcome and shorter recovery time.

For more on dental implants, you might want to read these posts:

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, whether they’re right for you, and what cutting-edge technologies we’re using to give you the best outcome possible, feel free to call our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Bentz. We can’t wait to see you and help you on your journey!

10 Advantages of All-On-4 Dental Implants

Cosmetic Dental Care, Restorative Dental Care

If you’re interested in a total smile restoration, All-On-4 dental implants are a fantastic solution.

Experiencing tooth loss is a very common problem faced by adults over the age of 35. Statistics show that the average American will be missing 12 teeth, wisdom teeth included, by the time they are 50.

If you’re looking for a solution to your tooth loss or issues with your traditional dentures, consider All-On-4 dental implants. All-On-4 dental implants are a procedure utilizing only four dental implant posts and a set of natural-looking, replacement teeth for a full-mouth smile restoration.

Check out these 10 benefits you’ll experience with All-On-4 dental implants.

1. You can walk out of your appointment with your new smile on the very same day.

The procedure for placing All-On-4 dental implants is surprisingly quick since only four dental implant posts need to be placed. The average patient who is otherwise healthy with sufficient bone structure can have the process completed in a single appointment, allowing them to walk out of the office with their beautiful new smile on the same day.

2. Dental implant posts support your jaw structure, preventing future bone loss and facial sagging.

Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that prevent bone loss from occurring. Since the implant post is placed within the jaw bone, you won’t experience the bone resorption and subsequent facial sagging that is so common with untreated tooth loss, traditional dentures, and dental bridges.

3. Taking care of your All-On-4 smile is no different than caring for your natural teeth.

All-On-4 dental implants don’t require special care or products. You will simply care for your new smile as you would your natural teeth, with twice-daily brushing, flossing, and if you choose, a mouth rinse. Even if your All-on-4 dental implants have completely replaced all of your natural teeth, you will still need to care for them in the same way.

4. Your diet will improve as you can return to enjoying all of the same foods you used to love.

After the initial recovery period of a few months, you’ll be able to return to your normal diet. This includes biting into fruit, eating crunchy foods, and no longer needing to worry about pain, denture slipping, or the inability to properly chew. You’ll have about 70% of a natural bite force back so we do advise care when biting into anything very hard or very sticky.

5. The placement technique used for All-On-4 dental implants minimizes the need for bone grafts.

All-On-4 dental implant posts don’t necessarily need to be placed in the same spot as a standard single-tooth dental implant. This makes it possible for your dentist to place your All-On-4 posts in a way that negates the need for a bone graft if bone loss has occurred. If you were previously told you are not a candidate for traditional dental implants, Dr. Bentz may find that you are a candidate for All-On-4 dental implants.

6. Permanently fixing problems with your teeth and gums will also help improve your overall health.

Your oral health and your overall health have a strong connection. Inflammation from problematic teeth, gum disease, or even poorly fitting traditional dentures increase inflammation throughout your body. This increases your risks of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. All-On-4 dental implants solve these issues and help you protect your health.

7. You won’t need to deal with any readjusting, removing and replacing, or messy denture adhesives anymore.

Traditional dentures might be an “easy” solution, but many patients find that wearing them is far from easy. All-On-4 smiles are a truly easy option as you won’t need to use adhesives or deal with readjusting or taking your false teeth in and out.

8. All-On-4 dental implants allow you to speak with others without fear of your dentures slipping.

Traditional dentures are prone to slipping, making it hard to speak, and you may have the constant worry of them falling out when you’re chatting with someone. All-On-4 dental implants give you the confidence of being able to speak and eat with others without any concerns about your smile. Additionally, after a quick period of getting used to how your new All-On-4 smile feels, your natural speech won’t be affected as it could be with traditional dentures.

9. You can regain confidence in yourself knowing that your smile looks beautiful, natural, and healthy.

The days of feeling self-conscious over your smile will be gone after getting All-On-4 dental implants. Dr. Bentz will work with you to design a new smile that looks incredibly natural and beautiful. You can customize how your new smile will look, including how bright or white you might want your teeth or the shape of your teeth.

10. You’ll experience a faster recovery time and a higher success rate compared to similar options.

Recovering from All-On-4 dental implants is easier and faster compared to the alternative of getting multiple traditional implants. The fewer implants you have, the less overall swelling and discomfort you’ll experience. Fewer implants also mean a high overall success rate for your new smile. The success rate of an All-On-4 smile is an impressive 93%.

Get your All-On-4 dental implant consultation booked at Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center.

The first step towards learning more about All-On-4 dental implants and discovering if you’re a candidate is to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Bentz will educate you on everything you need to know about All-On-4 dental implants, perform a thorough examination, and work with you to create a smile transformation plan.

May 2020