“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” ― Albert Einstein
Before starting, here's a summary of the common terms that will repeatedly appear in the guide. If you already know this stuff, skip ahead. If you don't, stick around. As every smart engineer knows, you must first understand the problem before you can come up with a solution.
Enamel
Acting as the thin outer covering of the tooth, enamel protects your teeth from harmful bacteria and erosion.
Dentine
This is the hard, dense, and bony tissue that forms the bulk of a tooth beneath the enamel.
Pulp Cavity
The pulp cavity contains the connective tissue that connects the blood vessels and nerve tissues to the tooth. This tissue is called the "pulp".
Root Canal
This part of the tooth is the tissue of the pulp cavity and the toot canal combined.
Over millenniums of evolution, your teeth slowly morphed into near-perfect chewing and biting machines. But they are not without their flaws. Below are some, but not all, of the obstacles in your perfect smile. Know them well because they will hide from you behind every corner.
Plaque
Plaque is a bacteria-filed sticky film that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay, so remember that plaque = bad.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease, and it is something to avoid at all costs. Untreated gingivitis can lead to tooth loss and decay, both of which can be prevented by proper oral hygiene, as explained in the guide.
Cavities
Cavities are tiny holes in your teeth, a more common problem than you might think [1]. They can cause complications, so like plaque and tartar, cavities are bad.
Tartar
When plaque is left too long, it solidifies onto your teeth as tartar. This hardened plaque contributes to tooth decay and can create problems if left unchecked. Again, tartar = bad.
The information above made you more knowledgeable about dental hygiene than most of the general public. Knowing more leads to better understanding, which in turn leads to better decisions.
As this guide progresses, it will get a bit wordy. This is on purpose so that every little detail is covered—from how to brush your teeth to the best products best to use. With that in mind, you can get the "cheat sheet" for this guide (and all other guides) by signing up for the newsletter below:
Since we despise sending emails, you'll only get notified every 3 to 4 months when the guides are updated and/or published. Specifically, the updates for this guide will include improved methods of whitening teeth, better dental products, and more.
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1. What's Perfect?
3. Straightening Teeth