The Crazy World of Teeth

There are several similarities between our teeth and those of animals. As humans, we form two sets of teeth over the course of our lifetime, starting with baby teeth that are then replaced by adult teeth. On average, every person should have around 32 teeth in total; this includes four wisdom teeth, eight incisors, four canines, twelve molars and eight premolars. Similarly, many animals have a variety of these same kinds of teeth, depending on whether they are meat eaters, plant eaters, insect eaters or a combination. Both us and animals have teeth that are very strong and amazingly constructed, made up of a mix of calcium, phosphorus, and other assorted minerals. Beavers also have massive amounts of iron in their teeth, resulting in their teeth having a strong orange colour but helping to keep the teeth strong enough to gnaw on trees.  

The Massive

With the wide variety of diets and lifestyles that animals live, there are several who have a very interesting and unique dental structure. Hippos have many hidden teeth. Though on first glance it may seem that they only have 4 big teeth, they commonly have 40 in total. Hippos also have the longest canine teeth of any animal, reaching up to 3 ft long. Their incisors are capable of biting right through a small boat.

Amongst the many fascinating creatures out there, Narwhals are truly intriguing. They are born with a horn on top of their head which is actually a tooth that can grow to 8 feet or longer. Narwhals use their horn to taste and measure the concentration of chemicals in the water around it in order to find food.

The Many 

Animals like giraffes, dogs and cats have a similar number of teeth to us, but some animals have even more. Like humans, there are many creatures that also lose their teeth throughout their life, for example elephants and sharks. Elephants can have four sets of teeth in their lifetime and their tusks are the longest teeth in the world.

Similarly, Sharks can have over 30,000 teeth in their entire lifetime and on average lose one tooth a week, which is then replaced with a fresh new tooth. Sharks also don’t get cavities because their teeth are protected with a layer of fluoride. The main difference is that unlike humans, they never stop producing new teeth. But for us, our adult teeth are all that we get, which means that we have to take good care of them. On the other hand, Dolphins only have one set of teeth for the entirety of their life and just like humans, they need to take care of the teeth they have too.

The Maintenance 

Animals have their own ways to care for their teeth, just like us, ensuring they stay healthy and free of cavities or other issues. But unlike humans, animal diets are naturally low in sugar and therefore are less likely to develop severe teeth problems. Some animals like zebras, beavers, squirrels and other rodents have teeth that never stop growing. They chew on tough foods like nuts, leaves and bark, which helps to wear down their teeth and keep them from growing too long. In fact, most animals have a habit of chewing on materials like bone or tree bark which helps to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Just like animals who are naturally proactive at cleaning and taking care of their teeth, we need to make sure that we are doing the same. Due to the commonly high amount of sugar in our diets, our teeth are extremely vulnerable, and it is very important to clean thoroughly and with care several times a day. It is also a good idea to have regular check ups with your dentist, in order to prevent any serious issues from arising and causing long term problems and hassle.

Don’t take your teeth for granted, because it’s the only set you get. Midlands Smile Centres is here to guide and help you along your dental journey, providing you with the right treatments and offering you the support you need.

Better Diet, Better Dental Health

A good, balanced diet can be great for your general health, but what you may not be so familiar with, is the level of importance that a good diet has in maintaining your dental health. This blog sheds some light on the role that your diet can play in making sure your teeth stay in a healthy condition as well as the repercussions that poor eating and drinking habits can have on your dental health.

Sugar

Of course, excessive consumption if sugar isn't advisable. And when it comes to our dental health, failure to effectively regulate the amount of sugar in our diet can lead to tooth decay. According to the NHS, the recommended amount of sugar to be consumed by adults is 30 grams of free sugars (7 sugar cubes approx'). Free sugars are sugars added to food and drink such as chocolate, biscuits, flavoured yoghurt and fizzy drinks; they are also found in unsweetened fruit juices, smoothies, honey and syrups.

The sugar contained naturally in fruit, milk and vegetables is not classed as free sugars.

Lowering Your Sugar In-take

Avoid drinking fizzy, sugary beverages and squash, and try opting for drinks that are no-added sugar, or diet, or ones that are sugar-free. Or simply choose a glass of water. If however, you still would like a sugary fizzy drink, maybe try mixing no-added-sugar squash with sparkling water to create something similar to a standard fizzy beverage. Attempt to not drink more than 150ml of unsweetened fruit juices or smoothies.

Another tip to employ in regard to sugar in drinks is to put sweetener in your tea or coffee instead of sugar. Or think about slowly cutting-down the quantity of sugar you put into your drink on a regular basis until you reach a point where you will not have any sugar in your drink.

Food

There are ways to bring your sugar in-take down regarding food, as well. Choosing a reduced sugar spread for your toast, or putting something else on there instead, such as banana or a low-fat cream cheese, is a good way of making your breakfast a little healthier. You can also shop for foods that have lower amounts of added sugar and seek-out the reduced sugar alternatives. The nutrition or ingredients labels should include this info' for you.

If you are cooking from a recipe, check how much sugar and other unhealthy ingredients are being used. You can either use a healthier alternative (and often tastier!), or simply reduce the amount used. For breakfast, unsweetened whole grain cereals are particularly good for you. Try also to avoid breakfast cereals that are frosted or covered in honey or chocolate. If you are a bit put-off by the lack of sugar in your unsweetened breakfast cereal, you could try introducing some dried fruit, berries or bananas to it, for a sweeter taste. When it comes to purchasing tins of fruit, go for those in juice, and not syrup.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is commonly not conducive to good dental health. Alcohol can remove the surface from your teeth, creating a loss of enamel as a consequence. This is problematic, as the loss of enamel can mean that having a filling will become necessary. Additionally, high-levels of alcohol consumption is linked to a heightened chance of mouth cancer.

Staining

Another part of our teeth being in a healthy condition, is them being white and free-from stains, and it's also something that makes our smile appear that little bit nicer, too. Eating and drinking in the right way will help to keep your teeth healthy and help ensure that they do not become stained. Drinking tea and coffee is one way that your teeth can become stained, so it is advisable to limit how many of these drinks you have. Other types of food and drink that can create staining are curry, red wine, beetroot, cola and tomato-based sauces.

Anything Else?

As previously stated, ensuring you eat and drink healthily and avoiding certain types of food is key to good dental health. But to make sure that you are caring for your teeth properly, read these tips and check that you are doing what you can on a daily basis to maintain your dental health.

• Brushing twice a-day; preferably with an electric toothbrush
• Using mouthwash
• Flossing
• Regular visits to the dentist
• Not postponing any dental treatments that are required
• Using sugar-free gum

MSC- Midlands Smile Centres

Whatever problem you have with your teeth, whether it's cosmetic or something more essential, MSC are always worth contacting. They boast several practices throughout Birmingham, making them easy to reach. MSC are staffed by a team of highly experienced and superbly skilled dentists that can offer you a whole range of dental treatments at affordable prices.

Get In Touch With MSC Today To Find-Out How They Can Help You!!