Since we were kids, we have been acquainted with the importance of oral health and teeth. We know that brushing helps us keep our teeth pearly white. We are familiar with the dentist. However, sometimes we fear the word and beg our parents not to bring us to the dental office. We hated tooth decay and tried our hardest to avoid candies. When our baby teeth fell out, we hide them under our pillows, hoping the tooth fairy comes and exchange it for a sweet surprise.
Although it seems that we know a lot about our pearly whites, there are some facts that you might miss out on about our teeth.
And so now begins…the “Did you know?” about teeth and dentistry. With the following facts, can use expand your dental knowledge or simply have something to brag about to your friends.
Intersting Dental Facts:
- Unlike today’s generation where 42 percent of children suffer from tooth decay, kids during the prehistoric times did not suffer from dental caries as sugar was not part of their diet.
- The topmost layer of your teeth called the enamel is the hardest part of the whole body, but this should not give you an excuse to use your teeth to open bottles or skip on brushing as enamel wear can still occur!
- There are stem cells in our teeth which are being studied to help regrow human teeth.
- Wondering where to store your toothbrush? It is advised to put it in a place that is at least six feet away from the toilet to prevent airborne particles from sticking to the bristles of your toothbrush.
- Teeth are unique like our fingerprints that forensics use to identify victims. Moreover, a person’s tongue print is also unique just like the teeth and our fingerprints.
- Teeth are not capable of repairing themselves, unlike the bones. That is why it is imperative that dental care is taken seriously, because once they are gone, you must live with missing or false teeth.
- Crocodiles are more fortunate than we are as they can regrow their teeth when they lose one.
- On the other hand, sharks are teeth-rich as they can change almost 40 sets of teeth in their lifetime. They also have three rows of teeth in both jaws.
- According to a legend, the false teeth of George Washington, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, are made from wood! However, this is untrue as the four pairs of his custom chompers were made from ivory, gold, lead, a mixture of donkey, hippopotamus, and human teeth.
More Fun Facts:
- An average woman smiles approximately 62 times per day. However, an average man smiles only about eight times a day.
- Tooth decay is not only prevalent, but it is considered an infectious disease as bacteria can be passed between individuals.
- Lucky for us, treatments for tooth decay are available. During the Middle Ages, kissing a donkey was the only treatment for tooth pain in Germany.
- We are trained to take care of our teeth. However, China is making the reminder a notch higher by declaring September 20 “Love Your Teeth Day.”
- Flossing at least once a day can make your life longer by six years. But unfortunately, about 73 percent of the US population prefer grocery shopping over flossing.
- On average, a person spends about 40 days of their life brushing their teeth in total.
- In our lifetime, we can produce an average of 25,000 quarts of saliva – enough to fill two swimming pools.
- Our world today include more than 7.5 billion people. However, there are more bacteria living in your mouth! In fact, the plaque present on the teeth houses more than 3o0 diverse species of bacteria.
- Before toothpaste came into the picture, people would use charcoal, ashes, chalk, and lemon juice to clean their teeth.
The teeth are more impressive than you think. So, do not ever neglect your oral health as there is more knowledge lurking inside your mouth. Brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, and visit your dentist at least twice a year.
