Your teeth are recording your life story
Updated: 6 days ago
Do You Know? For patients.
Teeth are not only for chewing. They keep a record of how you grew and how you live.
What teeth record
Growth lines: enamel and dentine are laid down in tiny daily and weekly layers, a little like tree rings.
Birth: a distinct line, called the neonatal line, marks the moment of birth in the teeth that were forming at that time.
Childhood illness and nutrition can leave visible bands in enamel that formed during that period.
Diet and habits: acidic drinks thin and smooth the enamel; grinding and clenching flatten the biting edges.
Forensic scientists use teeth to estimate age and identify people.
Why it matters for you
The wear on your teeth tells a dentist a lot about grinding, acid and bite. Reading it early means the cause can be managed before the teeth need extensive rebuilding.
See the carousel: View on Instagram
Related: Worn teeth treatment
This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination.
Comments