Dental Fun Facts

Since our blog generally focuses on more serious issues, we thought it would be fun to post some fun facts you might not have known about dental health. Check out the below and test your dental knowledge!

Did you know?

- If you’re right handed, you will chew your food on the right side of your mouth. If you’re left handed, you’ll chew on the left.

- The major causes of tooth loss in people under the age of 35 are sports, accidents, and fights.

- The second most common disease in the United States is tooth decay. The first is the common cold.

- You should always maintain a distance of six feet between the toilet and where you brush. The airborne particles from the flush can travel up to six feet. (Ewwwwwwww!)

- There was a huge surge in patients with tooth decay the year Coke was launched.

- Each person’s teeth are unique, just like a fingerprint, and this holds true even with identical twins!

- Newborn babies are born with no cavity-forming bacteria in their mouths. In fact, it is the baby’s caregivers who transmit the plaque-forming bacteria by blowing on food before feeding, kissing the baby’s mouth, and sharing feeding utensils.

- Placing a cap on a toothbrush head actually favors bacterial growth, as moisture is increased in enclosed containers.

- Some types of cheese can actually help prevent cavities! Specifically Monterey Jack, Swiss, and aged cheddar.

- The average amount of dental floss bought per person is about 18 yards. However, the amount that SHOULD be bought per person in order to properly floss teeth daily is actually 122 yards (assuming one foot per day).

- Blacksmiths in early America often served as dentists as well.

- American spend about 50 billion dollars a year on dental care, which may sound like a lot, until you find out they spend about 900 billion on all forms of gambling!

- How much is the Tooth Fairy paying per tooth? Around $2 each, according to Securian Dental Plans, an insurance provider.

- A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans.

- People who drink three or more sugary sodas daily have 62% more dental decay, fillings and tooth loss.

- Routine dental radiographs may be an effective tool in preventing strokes, according to researchers at the University of Buffalo. Stroke victims usually receive no warning of the impending stroke, but dental radiographs can help spot potentially dangerous calcium buildups in the carotid arteries near both ends of the jawbone. These buildups can choke blood flow to the brain and are a cause of strokes.

- Mick Jagger had an emerald chip put in the middle of his upper right incisor, but people thought it was spinach. He changed it to a ruby until he got tired of people discussing the drop of blood on his tooth. Jagger finally settled on a diamond.

- There is a name for the soreness that results when you burn your mouth on melted mozzarella — it’s “pizza palate.”