10 Cool Facts About Teeth Your Kids Will Love

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🦷 Teeth are incredible!

They help us chew food, form words, and give us bright, beautiful smiles. But did you know that teeth have some of the most interesting secrets in the human body?

Here are 10 fun facts about teeth for kids that will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even think about brushing a little more carefully!

1. Teeth Are as Strong as Iron!

The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your entire body—even harder than your bones!

But just like iron can rust, tooth enamel can wear down over time if you do not take care of it. Tooth enamel is made of minerals, primarily hydroxyapatite, which gives it strength.

However, acids in plaque from bacteria and sugary foods can weaken it. That is why brushing and flossing every day keeps your teeth strong and healthy.

For parents: Struggling to get your child to brush and floss regularly? Check out this article: Teen Oral Health 101: Tips for a Healthy, Happy Smile.  

2. You Only Get Two Sets of Teeth—So Take Care of Them!

Humans have two sets of teeth: primary teeth (baby teeth) and permanent teeth (adult teeth).

Primary teeth start appearing around six months old and begin falling out around age six to make room for permanent teeth. Once your adult teeth come in, that’s it, you don’t get another set!

If you lose a permanent tooth, it will not grow back. So make sure to take care of your teeth and protect them from injury. That means brushing and flossing every day and wearing a mouthguard when you play sports. 

For parents: Mouthguards are an easy way to protect your child’s teeth. Learn about the benefits of mouthguards for kids here: Peaceful Nights and Healthy Smiles: Mouthguards for Kids.  

3. No Two Tongue Prints Are Alike!

Just like fingerprints, your tongue print is unique! Your tongue has ridges and grooves that make it different from everyone else’s, and no two people have the same pattern. 

For parents: A tongue tie can affect your child’s speech and development. Learn more about this treatable condition here: Understanding Tongue Tie and Its Impact on Speech. 

4. Your Teeth Can Repair Themselves

Did you know that your teeth have a natural ability to repair small amounts of damage?

Your saliva contains minerals like calcium and phosphate that help rebuild weak areas of your tooth enamel.

However, this process is slow and cannot fix large cavities, which is why regular dentist visits and good oral hygiene are important to prevent serious decay!

5. Some Babies Are Born with Teeth!

Most babies will get their first tooth around six months old, but some are born with what is called ‘natal teeth’.  Imagine a newborn baby with a tooth! This happens in about 1 in every 2,000 births. 

For parents: To learn more about teething and what to expect in this stage of development, read Toddler Molar Teething Symptoms: What to Expect,

6. Teeth Can Tell a Story

Your dental records are so unique that they can be used to identify you. Even your toothprints are one of a kind!

Teeth can also reveal details about a person’s diet, health, and even where they lived based on mineral traces found in enamel. This is why dentists keep records of your teeth to help take care of them over the years.

7. Ancient People Used Strange Toothpaste

Before modern toothpaste, people used some strange things to clean their teeth.

The Romans used coral powder, the Greeks used crushed bones, and in the 1700s, people even tried using burned toast as a cleaning tool!

Ancient Egyptians made an early form of toothpaste with ashes, eggshells, and pumice. Thankfully, today’s dental care products are much better at keeping our teeth clean and fresh!

For parents: There is a lot of misinformation about fluoride. Learn the truth here: Nano-Hydroxyapatite vs. Fluoride: Which Toothpaste is Better For Your Teeth?

8. The Tooth Fairy Collects a Lot of Teeth

The Tooth Fairy collects about 300,000 teeth every night worldwide!

That is a lot of shiny treasures under pillows🦷 Some kids even write letters to the Tooth Fairy about their lost teeth, and in some cultures, instead of a fairy, a mouse or even a bird comes to collect teeth!

9. Saliva Helps Keep Teeth Clean

Your mouth produces about 1 to 2 litres of saliva every day. That adds up to gallons of spit in a year! 

Saliva plays an important role in washing away food particles, neutralizing harmful acids, and preventing tooth decay. Without enough saliva, your mouth could become dry, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. 

To make sure your mouth produces enough saliva, it’s really important to drink lots of water throughout the day. Drinking water protects your teeth in many ways! 

For parents: Is your child a mouth breather? Learn about how this affects their oral health: Mouth Breathing and Dental Health in Kids: How it Affects Teeth and Jaw Growth. 

10. Sharks Have Thousands of Teeth—But You Have Only 32!

A shark can lose 30,000 teeth in its lifetime, but humans only get 32 adult teeth.

Some people even grow extra teeth, called supernumerary teeth. If that happens, a dentist might need to remove them to prevent crowding.

💡Fun fact: The largest teeth in your mouth are called canine teeth, and they help tear food just like a lion’s fangs!

For parents: Learn about supernumerary teeth, also referred to as ‘Shark Teeth’, here: Shark Teeth in Kids: Steps to Keep Their Smile on Track. 

Healthy Teeth Last a Lifetime

Now that you know these cool facts about teeth, you can see why they are so important!

Your oral hygiene routine helps protect your teeth from tooth decay, gum disease, and even problems linked to heart disease.

Here are some easy ways to keep your smile strong and healthy:

• Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes to get rid of sticky plaque.
• Floss every day to clean out food and germs hiding between your teeth.
• Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings to keep your teeth happy and healthy.
• Eat less sugar because it can cause cavities and hurt your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water to help wash away germs and keep your mouth fresh!

Visit Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX

Your child deserves a smile that lasts a lifetime. At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry in Prosper, TX,  we provide gentle, kid-friendly care that makes every visit a breeze

Schedule a dental visit at our pediatric dental office in Prosper, TX. Call (469) 228-4402 to book an appointment or visit us at 240 S. Preston Road, Suite 10, Prosper, TX. 

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