We talk with it. We eat with it. And if we’re lucky, we smooch with it. But our mouths are more than just another functional part of our bodies; they’re an underrated treasure trove of fascinating processes. Let’s take a journey over the lips and past the gums to learn about some dental facts you may have never heard about.
Say What?
The average human spends 38 and-a-half days out of their lifetime brushing his or her teeth. Now that’s a commitment to enamel excellence!
We have four different types of teeth. Incisors for cutting, canines for tearing, and premolars and molars for grinding.
Enamel (the top-most surface of our teeth) is the hardest part of the human body. This is what protects our teeth from bacteria and cavities.
An entire one third of each tooth is hidden within your gums. What we see is just the tip of the iceberg.
Every mouth is unique. Your tongue print is as individual and identifiable as your fingerprint.
Your oral health is an excellent indicator of diseases that may be potentially threatening other parts of your body. Heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis have all been linked to oral health symptoms.
The human tongue contains between 2,000 and 10,000 taste buds. Each bud has an average lifespan of about two weeks. After it dies, a new one takes its place.
Unlike the bones in our body, teeth do not self-repair. This is why fillings are required to keep our mouths in healthy working condition.
Timeless Teeth
About 7,000 years ago, ancient Sumerians wrote down their theories about dental health. They blamed decay on “tooth worms”.
2,500 years later, the first known dentist set up shop in Egypt. His name was Hesy-Re and he rocked like an Egyptian, medically speaking.
Fast forward to 1210 A.D. French dentists were grouped into two categories: those with actual scientific training and those who just pulled teeth and also performed the duties of a barber.
Did your history teacher tell you that George Washington’s teeth were made of wood? Well, believe it or not, this is nothing more than a common myth.
President Washington did, in fact, wear dentures, but they weren’t wooden. Historians believe his chompers were crafted from ivory, lead, and/or copper. He even had some animal and human teeth in the mix!
In other American Revolution era news: did you know that Paul Revere was a practicing dentist? When one of his friends died in battle, Revere was able to identify the man by his dental records. In fact, Revere had been the one who gave his pal the bridge he wore in his upper row of teeth.
The reclining dentist’s chair was invented in 1832 by James Snell.
Lucy Beaman Hobbs struck a blow for women’s empowerment by becoming the first female dentist in 1866.
In 1905, Novocain was first formulated by Alfred Einhorn.
The Teeth of Today
We’ve come a long way from ivory dentures and tooth yanking barbers. Dental technology is in a golden era; patients can rest assured that their mouths are in good hands, so to speak.
And nowhere is that standard of excellence more pronounced than at the offices of David S. Kao, DDS. Our knowledgeable staff has brushed up on all of the trivia above so call us today and schedule an appointment!
