Give Thanks to Your Teeth

Every November we take an entire Thursday to give thanks, spend time with friends and family, and eat. And eat, and eat. There’s also a tradition of sharing everything that you’re appreciative of. As you go around the dinner table sharing what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, let our Rocky Mount dental office give you a few reasons why your teeth should be on that list.

Let’s Eat!

Since we are close to Thanksgiving, and Thanksgiving means a lot of delicious food, we wanted to start with a reason you should give thanks to your teeth that relates to the occasion. Our teeth help us chew all of those treats spread across the dinner table. Certain types of teeth even have different purposes. The incisors (the front four teeth on top and front four on the bottom) start the process by biting off bits of food. The canines rip and tear while the molars mash, crush, and chew. Our full set of teeth work together to allow us to enjoy as much Thanksgiving food as we (or our pants) can handle.

Talk It Out

Our teeth not only help us eat, they also aid in helping us speak and pronounce words properly. Teeth allow us to form certain sounds and without them, we’d have a difficult time pronouncing any word that contains an ‘f,’ ‘v,’ ‘s,’ ‘th,’ or countless other sounds. When people have difficulty forming certain words or sounds, they may be helped by their dentist in Rocky Mount, orthodontics, and a speech therapist.

Let Me Digest That

The digestion process is crucial in how our bodies function as proper digestion allows you to absorb all the nutrients and energize your body. While many may think digestion begins in the stomach, the truth is it begins in your mouth. While chewing, your mouth releases saliva. This saliva contains enzymes that begins the breakdown of food and starts the digestion process. This means chewing your food properly can aid in proper digestion and healthier body.   

Smile, You’ll Feel Better

Research has supported a strong link between smiling and a boost in mood and reduction in stress. But not just any smile will do. A big smile that activates the muscles around the eyes is key to getting these mood-enhancing effects. If you’re someone who tends to hide your teeth behind a tight lipped grin because you don’t like your smile, consider cosmetic dentistry to transform both your smile and your mood.

Everyone at our dental office in Rocky Mount wishes you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!  

About The Author

Dr. Richard Hunt

Dr. Richard Hunt has served as president of the NC Dental Society and the Dental Foundation of NC. He is the director and past chair of the LD Pankey Foundation and former chair of the Dental Assisting National Board. Dr. Hunt regularly teaches at the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. An active member of the American Dental Association, he has represented his peers from NC, SC, and VA on the ADA’s Council on Dental Practice.

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