By the age of 21 years, the average person will likely have a complete set of 32 adult teeth. From then on, your teeth take on a trove of other fascinating functions beyond their role in chewing and biting. So, how well do you know your pearly whites? Test your knowledge and uncover some fun facts below.
1. More than half of adults are attracted to someone because of their smile.
When people meet you for the first time, what do you think is the first thing they notice? According to a survey of over 1,000 Australians, 75% of respondents say a beautiful smile is a top factor when selecting a romantic partner. So maybe you’re looking to put your best foot forward on your first date. Or perhaps you’re after the best profile pic for your online dating profile. Flash a grin to win them over!
2. Teeth are the hardest substances in your body.
You might think your skeletal structure is the hardest part of your body. But it’s your pearly whites that take home the toughest trophy award. Adult teeth are composed of over 96% minerals, making them more impenetrable than your bones.
With dental enamel so hard, the high durability of adult teeth won’t come as a surprise. Research from the International Journal of Molecular Sciences reveals that teeth enamel can last a lifetime, even under extreme physical and chemical circumstances. If you’ve ever heard about the presence of teeth long after a person dies, now you know why.
3. You can bite up to 90 kilograms in weight.
Did you know adult teeth have a bite force almost as strong as a dog’s? Believe it or not, your chomping power is at par with a raging pit bull whose bite bears down at 104 kilograms. Now you understand why you could bite open that beer bottle back in university (not that you should ever do that again).
4. No two people have the same set of teeth.
Just like your fingerprint, the structure and arrangement of your teeth are uniquely yours. From the moment a person is born, each tooth forms differently. Indeed, no two people – or sets of permanent teeth – are alike.
5. The longest human tooth measured 3.70 centimetres long.
According to The Mirror, Guinness World Records awarded Mijo Vodopija from Croatia for having the longest tooth, measuring 3.70 centimetres long. His journey to this record began with a severe toothache, leading to a tooth extraction in Germany.
6. You will spend around 80 days brushing your teeth.
If you’ve ever wondered how much time you spend on your teeth, this fact is for you. Given the average life expectancy of around 80 years, you’ll spend roughly 80 days brushing your teeth over your lifetime. Let this serve as a reminder to all to clean your teeth properly – brush and floss your teeth twice a day. After all, you may end up spending three months throughout your lifetime doing so. You might as well do it right.
7. Adult teeth continue to shift positions with age.
If you think your permanent teeth are well, permanent, this fact will blow your mind. According to the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, teeth go through a physiologic drift – the natural migration of teeth with no applied force. As you age, your jawbone grows forward and becomes narrower. The change in your bottom teeth can affect your bite and sometimes require correction.
In such cases, you might need an orthodontic solution. Consider ClearCorrect dental aligners that can treat misalignments without the discomfort from wires and brackets. They deliver a more subtle and comfortable approach to treatment. They’re made with a revolutionary tri-layer ClearQuartz material, which exert gentle force to move teeth into their proper positions. Plus, their high trimline makes them look natural – and that’s a fun fact! To find out if you’re a candidate for ClearCorrect aligners, take this online smile assessment.
Found these facts about your fully developed adult teeth entertaining and enlightening? It’s fascinating to know how the human body functions – and your smile is no exception. So, keep feeding your mind with tidbits about your teeth so you can better care for them.
References:
Advantages of physiologic drift and extraction. (n.d.).
Beniash, E., Stifler, C. A., Sun, C., Jung, G. S., Qin, Z., Buehler, M. J., & Gilbert, B. (2019). The hidden structure of human enamel. Nature Communications, 10(1).
DigitalHubUSA, & DigitalHubUSA. (2022, January 13). First thing people spot when they open up a dating app profile is this. Digitalhub US.
Quinn, K. (2019, October 31). Man awarded Guinness World Record for having longest human tooth removed. The Mirror.
You spend more than 82 days brushing your teeth during your life – and more dental facts. (2018, April 12). Oral Health Foundation.
