We’re willing to bet that you rate going to the dentist at the top of the list of your least favorite things to do. We don’t blame you, going to the dentist is not always a walk in the park, but having teeth (and preferably in good shape) is probably a part of life that you particularly enjoy and paying a visit to your dentist every six months or so is an important part of keeping those teeth you love.
While we consider how much you enjoy your teeth, for your further enjoyment, we’ve put together a list of six random facts that you probably didn’t know about general dental care:
- If you like it then you shouldn’t put a lid on it.
Some people prefer to enclose their toothbrushes to protect them from yucky germs that occur and live in a bathroom. While that seems to make sense, by putting a cap on your toothbrush, you’re actually making the problem worse! When you put a cap on your toothbrush, it’s like putting it in a mini incubator for germs! The moistness of the toothbrush in a small place, without air circulation provides an excellent environment for bacteria to thrive in. If you feel like you must put a on your toothbrush, consider soaking the lid in peroxide and then letting it air out when it’s not in use. - Periodontal disease, the silent tooth killer.
If you know four people, three of them probably have periodontal gum disease. All the germs and bacteria that your mouth is teaming with create plaque which attacks your gums. Only 22% of adult floss on a daily basis; that means that 78% of people are doing nothing to remove that flesh-decaying bacteria from between their teeth, the perfect pathway to their gums, which causes periodontal disease.It’s a good dental habit to floss your teeth at least once a day. If you really hate flossing, some dentistry experts say you don’t have to floss all of your teeth, just the ones that you want to keep!
- The soda industry is keeping the dentistry industry in business.
The average American drinks 44.7 gallons of soda a year; this amounts to about two sodas every day. People who are heavy soda drinkers, drinking at least three sodas each day, have 62% more cavities and tooth loss than those who don’t drink soda at all. If you can’t get through the day without a Coke, try drinking it through a straw so that it doesn’t come in direct contact with your teeth, and make sure you to rinse your mouth out with water afterwards, to wash away all the acid and sugar that destroys those pearly whites. - Who first thought of making a tiny brush just for your mouth?
There is evidence that of a toothbrush with bristles Made of animal hair being used in China in 1498, but 99.99% of the human population didn’t enjoy the luxury of a toothbrush until far later. In the meantime, people use a variety of objects, including tree branches, to scrub the buildup off of their teeth. Fast-forward about 500 years, the first mass-produced toothbrush was created in 1938. Don’t you feel fortunate that you weren’t around exposed to the breath of the general population before toothbrushes were commonplace? - Cosmetic dentistry? It’s not just for celebrities.
Having imperfections in your smile can be a huge confidence killer. If your teeth are discolored, missing, and misshapen, the process of getting a smile you are proud of is not as hard as you think. Services like teeth whitening and veneers are inexpensive and used by millions of people every year. In fact, many general dental groups offer such services. - Toss that toothbrush after you’re sick.
If you are down with the flu, a cold or another virus, go ahead and treat yourself to it shiny new toothbrush once you get better. The microbes that that gave you that illness can live for a long time on your toothbrush bristles, exposing you to reinfection. And it can make other people sick too, if you share toothbrush. But, ew.
What do you think of our list of fun dental facts? If you have any other cool tooth tidbits to share, please shout them out in the comment section below! See this link for more. Helpful research also found here.