Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 5 minutes
Teeth are amazing! They do so much more than just help us chew our favorite foods.
Kids—did you know that your teeth are one of the coolest parts of your body?
Let’s explore ten fun facts about teeth that will make you smile 😃.
Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics offers a wide range of dental services for kids of all ages in Denver, Aurora, Hampden and Thornton.
Table of Contents
1. Tooth Enamel Is The Hardest Substance In The Human Body
Your teeth might look small, but they are tougher than your bones!
Enamel, (the outer layer of the teeth) is made up mostly of minerals, making it incredibly durable. In fact, enamel can withstand biting forces, chewing, and exposure to acidic foods better than any other substance in your body.
It’s about 2.5 millimeters thick on average—thinner in some areas—and acts as a protective shield against bacteria and tooth decay.
Learn about a condition called ‘enamel hypoplasia‘: Creating Stronger Smiles: How to Treat Enamel Hypoplasia in Children
2. Your Baby Teeth Started Growing Before You Were Born
Even though they don’t come out until around six months of age, your baby teeth—also called primary teeth—begin forming as early as six weeks, when you were just the size of a pea 🫛!
By the time your mom was 20 weeks pregnant, the tooth buds for all your baby teeth were already in place, waiting to grow and emerge.
Learn about your baby’s first tooth: When Do Babies Get Their First Tooth? A Timeline for New Parents
3. No Two People Have The Same Teeth
Just like fingerprints, everyone’s teeth are unique—even identical twins have differences!
Each tooth has its own unique shape, size, and grooves, which are like tiny ridges and valleys that make up its “fingerprint.” While we can see grooves on our fingertips, the unique details of teeth can only be observed closely by dentists or through X-rays.
These features are so distinct that dental records are often used to identify people when no other clues are available. It’s another reminder of just how special your smile really is 😁!
4. Your Mouth Is A Saliva Machine
Over your lifetime, your mouth produces enough saliva to fill two swimming pools.
Saliva is like a protective shield for your teeth, helping wash away food particles and keeping your teeth healthy. It is produced and stored in salivary glands located under your tongue and near your jaw.
When you see or smell delicious food 🍲, your brain signals these glands to start producing saliva, getting your mouth ready for eating and protecting your teeth from decay.
5. Some Animals Have Amazing Teeth
- Elephants 🐘 use their tusks, which are actually long teeth, for digging and lifting objects. Each tusk can weigh up to 250 pounds and grow to 10 feet in length!
- Sharks 🦈 have rows of teeth that keep replacing themselves, so they never run out. Some species can lose and replace up to 50,000 teeth in their lifetime, ensuring they’re always ready to bite.
- Horses’ 🐎 teeth never stop growing, and they wear them down by chewing food. On average, an adult horse has between 36 and 44 teeth, and these can grow as much as 4 millimeters each year, which is why chewing is so important for them.
6. You Only Get Two Sets Of Teeth
Humans grow two sets of teeth in their lifetime: baby teeth and adult teeth.
Once your permanent teeth come in, make sure to take care of them—you don’t get a third set! Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and avoid too many sugary snacks to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
Learn how to make flossing fun: Flossing for Kids: Why It’s Important and How to Make It Fun
7. Tongue Prints Are Unique, Too
Just like your teeth, your tongue 👅 has a unique print.
Each tongue has its own distinct pattern of ridges and textures, making it one-of-a-kind. Did you know your tongue also helps with speaking, eating, and keeping your mouth healthy?
Interestingly, the tongue is not a single muscle but a group of muscles working together, making it one of the strongest parts of your body relative to its size. How cool is that?
8. Your Teeth Can Sense Tiny Changes
Did you know your teeth are highly sensitive?
Each tooth is connected to nerves that allow it to sense even the smallest changes in pressure or temperature. This is why you can feel when a single grain of sand or a tiny seed gets stuck between your teeth.
These nerves help protect your teeth by signaling your brain to avoid biting down too hard or eating something dangerously hot or cold. Pretty impressive, right?
9. Your Teeth Work As A Team
Each type of tooth has a specific job 👷♂️.
Your front teeth, called incisors, cut food into smaller pieces. The pointed teeth next to them, called canines (or eye teeth), tear food apart. Your back teeth, called molars, grind food into bits that are easy to swallow.
Together, they work as a team to help keep your beautiful smile healthy and functional.
10. Tooth Enamel Can’t Repair Itself
Once enamel is damaged by tooth decay or trauma, it doesn’t grow back.
Unlike your skin which can heal after a cut or your bones which can repair themselves after a break, enamel cannot regenerate because it lacks living cells.
Book A Dental Visit In Denver, Aurora, Hampden, Or Thornton
Learning about teeth is fun, but keeping them healthy is even better.
Regular checkups and cleanings are an important way to keep your smile healthy!
At Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics, we are here to help your smile stay bright and strong. We accept Medicaid and offer dental services for kids of all ages.
Call the location nearest to you to schedule an appointment:
📍Denver Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 1400 Grove Street, Denver, CO 80204 | (303) 825-2295
📍Aurora Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 14251 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011 | (303) 343-3133
📍Thornton Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 550 E. Thornton Parkway, Suite 240A, Thornton, CO 80229 | (303) 280-8878
📍Hampden Youth Dentistry and Orthodontics: 7400 East Hampden Ave. Unit C1, Denver, CO 80231 | (720) 826-3694
