FlipFact of the Day: Enamel makes up the mostly visible part of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body, and has the highest percentage of minerals (96%). It is primarily hydroxyapatite, a crystalline calcium phosphate.
Tooth enamel can withstand bite forces as high as 1,000 N multiple times. Despite this, however, you definitely still need to take good care of your teeth. As strong as tooth enamel may be, it easily breaks away from the tooth, as its brittleness is comparable to glass.
Today’s Science History Milestone: On August 31, 1663, French physicist Guillaume Amontons was born. He rediscovered the laws of friction (first put forward by Leonardo da Vinci).
Still remember your 5th-grade science classes? Test your knowledge and see if you still remember these facts and fundamental concepts in human anatomy, biology, botany, and other branches of science. Click here to try the “Are You Smarter Than A Pinoy Fifth-Grader” Challenge.
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Cover: iStock
References
- https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-hard-is-tooth-enamel-compared-to-other-materials/
Author: Mikael Angelo Francisco
Bitten by the science writing bug, Mikael has years of writing and editorial experience under his belt. As the editor-in-chief of FlipScience, Mikael has sworn to help make science more fun and interesting for geeky readers and casual audiences alike.
