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The 13 Oddest Dental Facts

Posted in Dental News

2 minute read

Peculiar Dental Facts

Crazy information floats around about your mouth and teeth and you may wonder whether it is true or false. It’s hard to believe, but evidence supports that some of these crazy details are, in fact, true. So, the next time you brush your teeth, eat a snack, or flash a friendly grin, ponder on these outrageous details about your mouth.

  1. Did you know that the average person spends approximately 38.5 days brushing their teeth over their lifetime? That’s over an entire month of straight brushing!
  2. Want to fill a couple of swimming pools…with spit? The average human produces enough saliva in his/her lifetime (about 25,000 quarts) to do just that.
  3. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
  4. If you’re happy and you know it, SMILE! Children smile about 400 times a day.
  5. Ever wonder if women are happier than men? Based on the average number of smiles a day, the answer would be YES. Women smile about 62 times a day compared to men who smile 8 times a day.
  6. No two sets of teeth are exactly the same. Each person’s set of teeth is unique much like their fingerprints.
  7. Does the hand you write with affect your teeth? It can. Right-handed people tend to chew food on their right side of their mouth, while left-handed people tend to chew on their left side.
  8. Every year, close to half a million dollars is spent on chewing gum by kids in North America.
  9. More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones. What’s your preference?
  10. The ancient Greeks used pliers for teeth extractions. Ouch!
  11. Have a toothache? It was a common Middle Age custom in Germany to kiss a donkey to relieve the pain.
  12. The first toothbrush bristles were made from hogs, horses, and badgers.
  13. Keep your toothbrush near a toilet? Airborne particles from a toilet flush can travel up to 6 feet! Think about that the next time you want to place your toothbrush on the bathroom counter.

If you have any questions or concerns about your dental health, please contact Dr. Kevin B. Sands, DDS by calling (310) 273-0111 or filling out our contact form. We look forward to meeting you!