This three-part article series provides 10 fascinating dental facts that might just help you improve your daily oral health and hygiene habits.

Welcome back to this three-part article series in which Norwalk dental implants specialists walk us through some very interesting and, at times, surprising facts about oral health and hygiene. In our previous article post, the second installment of the series, the following were discussed:

Fact # 1: As much as 75% of the American population suffers from some stage of periodontitis or gum disease.

Fact # 2: 90% of systemic diseases, such as diabetes, have ramifications for one’s oral health.

Fact # 3: Good oral hygiene can lower your risk of developing a suite of potentially life-threatening illnesses, including heart attack.

We have four dental facts to go, so without further ado…

Fact # 7: If you drink more than three cans/bottles or glasses of soda a day, your teeth are at a 62% greater risk of decay than those who don’t.

Long gone are the days when products such as Coca Cola were considered to be good for your health. Nowadays, we understand just how pumped full of sugar the various brands of soda are and sugar encourages bacterial growth in the mouth. This makes your teeth become substantially more susceptible to tooth decay, especially if it’s a regular indulgence. To make matters worse, these beverages are also very acidic, which softens your dental enamel and makes it more vulnerable to erosion.

“Soda, fruit juice and energy drinks should never take the place of water in your diet,” say Norwalk dental implants specialists. “If you’re thirsty, just drink good old water. Instead, view these sugar-rich beverages as a treat to be enjoyed occasionally. You’ll find yourself appreciating them so much more.”

Fact # 8: Just emerged from a bout of flu? Throw your toothbrush away!

“Your toothbrush can harbor the germs that made you sick in the first place, especially if a virus caused your illness,” say All On 4 Implant specialists. “If you’ve just recovered from a viral infection, throw your toothbrush away and get yourself a new one to avoid re-infecting yourself and whoever may share the toothbrush holder with you!”

Fact # 9: If you ever accidentally knock out a tooth, put it in a glass of milk.

Here’s a handy bit of advice, especially for moms and dads of young, reckless teenagers. If you or your child ever accidentally gets a tooth knocked out, pour a glass of milk and store the tooth in it immediately! Outside of the safe environment of your mouth, a tooth will start to die in as little as 15 minutes. It can survive longer in milk or in a decent volume of saliva. Milk is typically easier (and more pleasant) to procure in a short amount of time.

“Call the dentist and book an emergency appointment right away,” stress Norwalk dental implant specialists. “If you want to avoid teeth replacement, time is of the essence!”

Fact # 10: Babies don’t have the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

A newborn baby’s mouth is so pristine and healthy they don’t actually have the species of bacteria that cause tooth decay. This, surprisingly enough, is passed onto them by their moms and dads via kisses and via blowing on hot food to cool it down. It is inevitable though… so don’t feel too bad about it if you’re a parent! You still have plenty of time to help them live a healthy dental life in order to avoid the need for Norwalk dental implants down the road.