Some Toothy Facts About Your Pearly Whites

Did you know that 1950s heart-throb, James Dean, had no front teeth…he wore a bridge!

Did you know that the average adult has 28 to 32 teeth, depending on whether or not they have kept their “wisdom” teeth?

Flossing aside, how well do you know your pearly whites?

• If you don’t floss regularly, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces.
• The average person brushes for a mere 45-70 seconds a day. The recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.
• Tooth decay is the most widespread disease of humanity…and the oldest.
• The second most common disease in the United States is tooth decay. The first is the common cold.
• The first nylon-bristled toothbrush with a plastic handle was invented in 1938.
• The electric toothbrush first appeared in 1939.
• Certain kinds of tumors containing cells from other body parts of teratomas may contain teeth.
• The ancient Sumerians described tooth decay as “tooth worms.”
• Sadly, 73% of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss their teeth.
• Happily, over three million miles of dental floss is purchased in North America each year.
• The hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel.
• More than 300 types of bacteria combine to make dental plaque.
• Babies begin to develop their primary teeth just six weeks after conception.
• About one in every 2000 babies is born with ‘natal teeth.’
• A tooth that has been knocked out starts to die within 15 minutes. But if it’s held in the mouth or put in milk, it will survive longer.
• People with hyperdontia have extra or ‘super-numerary’ teeth. Most remain hidden below the gum line, but occasionally they erupt and crowd other teeth.
• Most tooth loss in people over 35 is from periodontal disease.
• Most tooth loss in people under the age of 35 is from athletic trauma, fights, or accidents.

And last but not least…the Statue of Liberty’s mouth is three feet wide!

Call us at 951.698.4426, and let’s talk about your amazing teeth!