Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Teeth
Teeth are an essential part of our daily lives, from eating to smiling, but how much do we really know about them? Our oral health has a fascinating history, and the habits we form today can significantly impact not just our smile but our overall well-being. In this article, we’ve compiled some fun and surprising facts about your teeth that will make you appreciate them even more! From brushing habits to quirky dental folklore, these tidbits are sure to change how you think about your pearly whites.
We also included a mini version of fun facts about your teeth in PDF format
1. During the average Canadian lifespan, people typically brush their teeth for a total of almost 1000 hours.
That’s more than a month of just brushing your teeth! The daily recommendation for maintaining the best oral health is to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. While brushing is very important, daily flossing is also necessary in your daily oral routine to help remove food and plaque between the teeth as these areas are harder to reach with only a toothbrush. By following these guidelines and completing regular examinations with your dentist, you can have optimal oral health and prevent many serious health issues that are related to oral hygiene.
2. Eating coconuts can help reduce the risk of gum disease and cavities as they have antibacterial properties.
The oil in coconuts contains a chemical compound called lauric acid which can help eliminate or reduce the spread of bacteria, which in return can lower your risk for common dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.
Many people use coconut oil as a natural mouthwash or use a technique called “oil pulling” where the oil is swished around inside the mouth and in between the teeth to reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Coconut oil also aids with maintaining healthy saliva as it can neutralize certain acids and help wash away small food particles within the mouth. Combining this method with regular dental care and examinations will help to ensure that you are in good oral health.
3. On average, women smile about 70 times per day, compared to men who smile about 10 times per day. It takes 48 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile.
Studies have shown that there are many psychological, societal and cultural factors that contribute to these statistics. There are several studies showing that smiling can reduce stress, improve your mood, boost the immune system, improve communication and so much more. So make sure to smile more often so that you can reap the benefits!
4. Your smile plays a huge part in human attraction, studies show that just over 60% of people are attracted to someone because of their smile.
Smiling is a great tool to make a great first impression if you are meeting someone for the first time. Smiling can show friendliness, approachability, interest, positivity and confidence which is often perceived as attractive. Smiling can influence someone’s perception of you, improve interactions and be a valuable asset in both personal and professional relationships.
4. Women are more likely than men to develop periodontal disease.
Women are more likely to develop periodontal disease than men due to multiple factors such as hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause, genetic factors and more. When there is increased estrogen and progesterone, the blood flow in the gums increases which can increase the risk for inflammation in the gums. Pregnancy also affects the immune system and hormones which can sometimes lead to gingivitis, cavities and infections. Women experiencing menopause normally have reduced estrogen levels which can cause bone loss and gum disease.
6. It was common practice to kiss a donkey if you had a toothache during the middle ages.
Many treatments from the middle ages were based on folklore rather than scientific evidence as there was very limited scientific knowledge and resources. Some people believed that animals had special powers and that they were able to heal people through simple interactions. Kissing a donkey was considered a way to “transfer the animal’s health to the human”. While this may seem unusual in this current day in age, this practice gives us some insight into the complex history of dental care and some of the obstacles we have faced to get where we are today.
7. You know the saying an apple a day can keep the doctor away? Interestingly enough, it makes you three times more likely to develop dental decay
While apples can be very beneficial to our health by providing vitamins and fibers, they also contain natural sugars and acids that can affect our overall dental health. The sugars and acids can promote bacteria in the mouth which can lead to erosion of the tooth’s enamel as well as cavities. This is one of the many reasons why it is crucial to brush and floss daily as it helps reduce the amount of exposure to your teeth.
