Get ready to grin

Here's some fun new stuff to put into your head about your mouth.

• How many muscles does it take to smile?

  It takes 22 muscles to smile and 37 to frown! That means smiling is less work and leaves more energy for all the other stuff you want to do.

• Do teeth have skin?

  The surface of your teeth is called enamel, and it protects your teeth much like skin protects the rest of your body. But unlike your skin, enamel has to be very hard because the sugars and acid from what we eat are hard on teeth. That's why brushing is so important because it keeps the enamel clean and strong.

• What's all the fuss about flossing?

  Dental floss goes places your trusty toothbrush can't. Like between your teeth and below the line where you teeth and gums meet. If you don't know how to floss, bug your mom or dad to show you how.

• Why do I talk funny when I get novocaine?

  When you talk, your tongue and lips are constantly making tiny movements so your words are understandable. It happens so naturally that most of the time we never notice. When you get novocaine, the muscles that help shape words can't move the way you expect them to.

• Will laughing gas make me laugh?

  Maybe. Maybe not.

  Laughing gas is actually another name for Nitrous Oxide. Most people feel relaxed, even floppy. Some feel like they are drifting off to sleep. And some just laugh right out loud.

  For more fun, interesting information go to the MadSci Network.

• What holds my teeth in place?

  Roots hold your teeth in place. And you've got one for every tooth in your mouth. Some teeth have one root. The bigger ones can have three or more roots. But they all do the same work of anchoring your teeth to the bone of your jaw.

  What's more, each root is about two times longer than the part of the tooth that can be seen above your gum. The longest roots are part of your corner teeth, called canines. Those roots need to be long because they were made for taking hold of food and pulling off a bite. (Imagine a caveman with a tough piece of meat and you'll get the picture.)

• What's a tongue good for anyway?

  Your good old tongue does much more than just taste the food you eat. It also helps you move food around in your mouth to make chewing easier. It even makes swallowing possible.

  Then there's talking. Did you know that your tongue is constantly on the move every time you talk? That's why you sound funny when your tongue is numb from novocaine.

• Do I have to wear a mouthguard?

  If you want to protect your smile, absolutely! Any activity in which you could fall on your face or be hit in the mouth is worth a mouthguard. It can protect your teeth, your lips, even your jaw.

• What are wisdom teeth?

  Wisdom teeth grow in the very back corners of the mouth, two on the top and two on the bottom. They don't usually show up until a person is in their late teens or early 20's. Most people can't actually use their wisdom teeth because the jaw isn't big enough to make room for them without crowding.

  So why do we have teeth that don't fit our jaws?

  Skeletons from very early humans that have been found by archaeologists do have bigger jaws with more room for teeth. Some scientists believe this helped early humans chew the rough-and-tough foods that were part of their diet.