© Shutterstock

Some babies are born with teeth -

About one in every 2,000 babies is born with natal teeth. This means their first dentist appointment is only a few days after birth. Natal teeth usually grow on the bottom gums and tend to have weak roots. They're often removed to prevent problems with breastfeeding or accidental swallowing.

© Shutterstock

Your teeth are uniquely yours -

Just like fingerprints, your teeth are also unique. No two sets are the same. This is why dental records are sometimes used to identify human remains.

© Shutterstock

We use four different types of teeth -

Humans use four different types of teeth to cut, chew, and grind their food. These teeth are the incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

© Shutterstock

You have 32 of them -

From your front teeth to the back of your mouth, you have eight incisors, which are eight incisors, four canine teeth, eight premolars, and 12 molars.

© Shutterstock

Some people lose teeth throughout their lives -

People with hyperdontia have extra, or supernumerary, teeth. These will remain hidden below the gum line, but occasionally erupt and crowd other teeth. When this happens, a dentist can remove them, or an orthodontist can straighten all of them out with braces.

© Shutterstock

Not everyone loses their baby teeth -

By age three, the average child has a full set of 20 temporary teeth. These will eventually loosen and fall as the permanent teeth below start to erupt. However, if a person doesn't have a replacement permanent tooth, the baby teeth will stay in place.

© Shutterstock

We only get two sets of teeth -

Humans only have two sets of teeth to last them their entire lifetime. Once you have all your permanent teeth, make sure you look after them.

© Shutterstock

Not all cultures consider straight teeth the beauty ideal -

Straight white teeth might seem universally appealing, but that's not the case everywhere. In Japan, a fanged look, called yaeba, is so admired that some women get crooked veneers. They believe it will make them look younger and more adorable.

© Shutterstock

Candy is better for your teeth than raisins -

This might be surprising, but some treats are more likely to cause cavities. Ditch foods that get stuck in your teeth, such as fruit snacks, chips, and bread, and opt for those that dissolve quickly.

© Shutterstock

Humans will evolve past wisdom teeth -

A third set of molars helped our larger-jawed ancestors chew on roots, nuts, and leaves. But today, 35% of people are born without wisdom teeth. And the ones who have them are often encouraged to get them removed. This is because our mouths are too small for them.

© Shutterstock

They’re a bit like icebergs -

About a third of each tooth is underneath your gums. This is why it's important to keep your gums healthy. Your gums should always be firm.

© Shutterstock

The enamel is the hardest part of your body -

The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth, and it's even stronger than your bones. Its main purpose is to protect the rest of the tooth. It's mostly made of calcium and phosphate.

© Shutterstock

It isn’t invincible -

However, even if the enamel is there to protect your teeth, it can still chip or crack. Plus, it isn't safe from decay. Sugars and acids, like those found in soft drinks, interact with bacteria in your mouth and attack your enamel, which is the start of tooth decay.

© Shutterstock

Signs of decay -

Enamel is partly responsible for your teeth’s white appearance. So when they turn yellow, it's probably a sign of decay. Decaying enamel could also be to blame for any pain you experience.

© Shutterstock

Dentin grows, enamel doesn’t -

Dentin is the layer that lies beneath the enamel. It's made up of small channels and passageways that transmit nerve signals and nutrition through the tooth. While the enamel is static, dentin continues to grow throughout your life.

© Shutterstock

Your mouth is home to 300 types of bacteria -

Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of around 300 different species. Remember to brush, floss, and use mouthwash to kill them.

© Shutterstock

A tooth can’t heal itself -

The teeth are the only part of the human body that can't repair themselves. Teeth can't regrow what was lost or replace it with scar tissue.

© Shutterstock

Plaque is the enemy -

Constantly growing, if you don't regularly brush or floss, plaque can cause tooth decay. Without removal, plaque hardens and develops into tartar. Don't forget to see your dentist for regular cleanings.

© Shutterstock

We spend many days brushing our teeth -

An average person spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth over their lifetime. Remember, when you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque.

© Shutterstock

We don't brush our teeth enough -

Even if it seems like we spend a lot of time brushing our teeth, it's still not enough. On average, a person spends only about 48 seconds brushing. Dentists recommend spending at least two minutes to achieve a clean mouth.

© Shutterstock

Teeth can tell stories about you -

Scientists can tell a great deal about us just by examining our teeth. They reveal how old we are, what we eat and drink, and even where on Earth we have lived.

© Shutterstock

Put your teeth in milk -

If you get a tooth knocked out, put it in milk and put it back in the socket. This will help your tooth survive longer. But make sure you see a dentist right away.

© Shutterstock

The blueprint for your teeth is present the day you’re born -

When babies are born, the crowns of their first 20 teeth are already in place under the gums. Waiting for the right time to break through, the teeth start appearing sometime between three to six months of age.

© Shutterstock

You produce a lot of saliva -

In a lifetime, your mouth produces enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Saliva plays many important roles in your overall health. For teeth, it washes away lingering food particles. It also contains calcium and phosphate, which can neutralize the acids in plaque that cause damage and decay.

© Shutterstock

There are diseases linked to your oral health -

Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

© Shutterstock

Braces are cooler than ever before -

Back in the days, the most creative thing you could do with braces was to choose the color of their rubber bands. Today's options include Invisalign, or lingual braces hidden along the inside of your teeth.

© Shutterstock

Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as brushing the parts you see -

We're easily able to each the tops and sides of our teeth when we brush. But the surfaces between need proper cleaning, too. This area makes up a significant part of our tooth enamel, so it's important to keep it clean and healthy. 

Sources: (Healthline) (Mental Floss) 

See also: Health mistakes you didn't know you're making 

© Shutterstock