Summer is a time to be playful, take a vacation, relax and rest the brain a little bit. With that in mind, today we thought we would have some fun exploring fun facts about Dentistry, teeth and human nature in general. We hope you’ll find these interesting and hey – feel free to share and post your own comments too!
Let’s get started with some of the fun facts:
Fun Fact #1
How much toothpaste do you think is purchased in North America each year?
It was hard to find statistics for all of North America but in the US alone over 14 million gallons of paste was used in 2017!
Fun Fact #2
Is it true coconut is a natural anti bacterial food?
Yup – coconuts can actually help reduce your risk of developing cavities and/or gum disease.
Fun Fact #3
True or False – Toothpaste used to be made from charcoal.
Toothpaste, throughout time, has been made from all kinds of things including charcoal. Other weird ingredients from the past include: chalk, salt, pulverized brick, burned bread, broken eggshells, pulverized ox hooves, and even a recipe from the 18thcentury calling for dragon’s blood! (Actually, that’s a plant in case you were wondering.)
Fun Fact #4
True or False – Fluoride is actually bad for you?
A few years ago, studies were released indicating that too much fluoride was bad for us. Indeed a significant amount of research will turn up results that are both “pro” and “con” fluoride. First added to toothpaste in the late 1800’s, I believe it’s safe to say that the amount of fluoride found in toothpaste and in our water supply is a safe and effective preventative agent. As long as you aren’t eating the stuff – you should be fine!
Fun Fact #5
Getting paid for losing teeth started with the Norse / Vikings?
The long-standing tradition of the tooth fairy varies widely between cultures. We’ve actually done several blogs on myths and origins of tooth fairies. That said, certainly one of the earliest known writings about children being paid for lost teeth does indeed originate from Northern Europe and the Norse where a child was paid for the first tooth they lost.
Fun Fact #6
You will spend almost six weeks of your life brushing your teeth.
The average North American spends 38 ½ days on teeth brushing.
Fun Fact #7
That’s a whole lot of spit!
The average person will generate over 25,000 quarts of saliva in their lifetime. That might sound gross but remember saliva plays a vital role in keeping our mouth, teeth and gums healthy.
Fun Fact #8
You will have all the teeth you will ever have when you are born.
This is true. You might not be able to see them but your tooth buds have all begun to form in the womb, long before you are even born.
Fun Fact #9
Ancient Romans used urine to rinse their mouth.
It’s true! It’s pretty gross, but true. The ancient Romans used sterile urine to rinse their mouths in the same way that we use mouthwash today.
Fun Fact #10
Who smiles more – men or women?
Women win!
Bonus Fun Fact – Mosquitoes have way more teeth than humans. Twice as many in fact although who first opened up a mosquitoes mouth to count them I have no idea!
Right now we are in the middle of a heat wave but if it ever rains again and you’re looking for something interesting to do, play Tooth Trivia with your friends one day and use these fun facts to amaze them. In the meantime, as always, thanks for reading and remember: “don’t forget to be a BFF with your mouth and Brush that SMILE!”
