Discover the Surprising Truth About the Hardness of Teeth and Bones

[robert1811]

Hi all,

My 9 year old just asked me what is harder.. teeth or bones? Any suggestions?

 

[Moonbear]

Gotta love the questions kids ask! Actually, it's teeth...or more specifically, the outer enamel coating of teeth. The inner, dentin layer, is more like bone.

 

[quicknote]

I can tell you that both teeth and bones are made up of a mineral called hydroxyapatite, which gives them their hardness. However, the exact composition and arrangement of this mineral differs between teeth and bones, resulting in differences in their hardness. Teeth are actually harder than bones due to their higher concentration of hydroxyapatite and the presence of an outer layer of enamel, which is the hardest substance in the human body. This allows teeth to withstand the pressures of chewing and grinding food. On the other hand, bones have a slightly lower concentration of hydroxyapatite and are more porous, making them less hard and more flexible, which is important for their role in supporting and protecting our bodies. So, while both teeth and bones are incredibly strong and important for our overall health, teeth are the clear winner in terms of hardness.