We use our teeth to talk, chew, and smile. But there are some other facts out there that you probably didn’t know about your pearly whites.
Here’s our top five to get you thinking differently about your oral health.

Besides the importance of brushing and flossing, how well do you know your chompers? From LED braces to pearly whites in hard-to-reach places, Ewan Bramley Dental Care brings you the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth.

SOME PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH TEETH

About one in every 2000 babies is born with natal teeth, so sometimes a baby’s 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 and accidental swallowing. Being born with teeth can be a symptom of certain medical conditions, and ancient physiognomy associated it with evil – but it’s usually harmless. US advice columnist twin sisters Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren were both born with teeth –  as were Napoleon and Julius Caesar.

SOME PEOPLE CAN’T STOP LOSING TEETH!

People with hyperdontia have extra, or super-numerary, teeth. Most of these teeth remain hidden below the gumline, but occasionally they’ll erupt and crowd other teeth. If extra teeth crash a mouth party, a dentist can remove them, or an orthodontist can straighten all of them out.

TUMORS CAN GROW TEETH

No one wants to deal with an abnormal growth, but teratomas are especially grim. The germ cell tumors can contain several types of tissues and are usually found in the ovaries, testes, and near the tailbone. Some of them even contain teeth. And hair. And occasionally eyes, hands, and other limbs! Fortunately, many teratomas are benign and can be surgically removed.

BRACES ARE BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE

Back in the good old days of orthodontia, the most creative thing the metal-mouthed could do with their braces was to choose a rubber band colour. Today’s options include invisible braces or lingual braces hidden along the inside of your teeth. Or you can modernise traditional braces with glow-in-the-dark or LED technology. In the former option, fluorescent rubber bands or brackets glow when light-activated. The Japanese clothing store Laforet Harajuku invented LED braces for a January 2011 ad campaign. Switched on by smiling wide, these multicoloured flashing lights don’t actually straighten teeth. They will, however, make you the coolest kid at a rave.

HUMANS WILL EVOLVE PAST WISDOM TEETH

A third set of molars helped our larger-jawed ancestors grind up roots, nuts, and leaves. But nowadays, 35% of people are born without wisdom teeth. Most of the rest of us are encouraged to get them removed. When our bodies no longer need an organ or part, it becomes vestigial and eventually disappears. According to scientists, future generations will lack appendices.

CERTAIN SWEETS ARE BETTER FOR YOUR TEETH THAN RAISINS

Not all sweets are equally bad for your teeth. In fact, you might be surprised which treats are more likely to cause cavities. Sugar from all the foods we eat feeds bacteria that create acid and erodes tooth enamel. With enough erosion over time, a tooth becomes extremely vulnerable. So how do you have your snacks and keep the teeth to eat them, too? Ditch foods that get stuck in your teeth (breads, chips, and fruit snacks) for those that dissolve quickly (chocolate, caramels, and jelly beans). It’s also better to snack all at once than to munch and feed bacteria throughout the day.

About Ewan Bramley Dental Care

Ewan Bramley Dental Care is a cosmetic Dentist in Newcastle, North Shields in the North East of England.

We are an affordable private dentist in the North East specialising in dental implants, invisible braces, teeth whitening, dental crowns and dental veneers.

We offer affordable family dentistry and payment plans to suit all budgets.

Would you like to set up a FREE consultation with Ewan Bramley Dental Care?

Call 0191 259 6506 today or submit your information here and our friendly team will be in touch!