The strongest substance in your body is located inside your mouth.

Did you know that the strongest substance in your body is your tooth enamel? Did you also know that the strongest muscle in your body is your masseter? What is that you ask? It is your jaw muscle. Your masseter has the ability to produce the most pressure, which is why your jaw and mouth are able to bite down and chew food.

Did you have any idea that your mouth really holds some super powers when compared to other parts of your body?

Just how strong is tooth enamel?

Your tooth enamel is the second-hardest naturally occurring substance in the world right after diamonds. That means that the enamel on your teeth is stronger than rocks and metal!

How strong is my masseter?

The average human jaw exerts 70 PSI, or pressure per inch, when chewing. That number is comparable to the pressure that comes out of the average faucet in America. While that number is fairly average, a person who grinds their teeth at night can exert up to 700 PSI! That is comparable to the force behind a dog’s bite, which is why people who grind their teeth should speak with their dentists about options to keep them from grinding their teeth at night.

In case you are wondering how the force of your bite compares to other animals, a Tyrannosaurus Rex is estimated to have had a bite force of 2,500 PSI!

How can I keep my enamel strong?

Unfortunately, just like any other substance, the enamel on your teeth can wear down over time. This is why it is important to have a regular oral health routine that consists of brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time, along with flossing. Make sure you are using a toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride, as that mineral can help build up your enamel.

If you want to help keep your enamel healthy, you can also watch the foods you eat. Foods that have a lot of acid or sugar in them should be avoided, as those substances can wear down your teeth’s enamel. That means you should avoid drinking a lot of sodas or fruit juices high in sugar and acid. You should also avoid eating candy and chewing gum. If you do eat these foods or drink these beverages, it is smart to brush your teeth after you consume them to help wash away the bad germs.

Another way to keep your enamel strong is by eating foods fortified with calcium. Calcium is a vitamin that helps build strong bones and teeth. Make sure you are eating foods high in calcium, like low fat cheese and milk, to keep high calcium levels in your body.

Your saliva also contains helpful bacteria that helps keep your enamel strong. Saliva acts as a natural protectant on your teeth, which is why dentists recommend waiting a little bit after eating to brush your teeth—so your saliva can get to work! Since your saliva is so important, make sure you are taking care of your entire mouth during your daily dental hygiene routine!

Remember to protect your teeth.

Just because the enamel of your teeth is strong, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the proper precautions to protect them!

Besides following a proper dental health routine, which we outlined above, if you are active and participate in sports, a dentist will highly recommend you wear a custom fitted mouth guard to help protect your teeth from the bumps and hits an athlete takes during participation in sports.

Can my teeth break?

While your teeth are super strong, they can still break and crack, just like your bones. That is why you should take every chance you can to protect them at all costs!

While there is no substitute for your natural teeth, thanks to science and advances in dental technology, your dentist can help you out if you have damaged teeth, or if you have lost a tooth. Dentists are able to make repairs to teeth with fillings, crowns, and even replacement teeth. They are often made of resin composites, metal alloys, and metal ceramics. The choice of many dentists, however, is porcelain, which is a relatively strong material and can mimic your tooth’s natural enamel.

Keep your enamel healthy by visiting We Make Kids Smile Dentistry.

Make sure you are keeping your daily oral hygiene routine up, and you shouldn’t have a problem with keeping your teeth healthy and strong. Remember that you should see your dentist at least twice a year for an evaluation. If you haven’t seen us in a while, schedule an appointment today!

Do you have a question? We can help!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Appointment

Schedule An Appointment

Waldorf

Waldorf
301-206-1993

Waldorf

3460 Old Washington Rd, #200
Waldorf, MD 20602

Prince Frederick

Prince Frederick
410-307-2882

Prince Frederick

540 Main Street
Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Email

Email Us

Facebook

Find us on Facebook

Welcome Back