15 MORE Fun Facts about Teeth You May Not know! (Part 2)

Are you ready for more? Here are another 15 more jaw-dropping facts about your teeth that will give you a reason to smile! In case you missed the first 15, check out the first post in this series. 

16) Did you know that cavities are the second-most common disease in the United States? They’re surpassed only by the common cold.

17) Human teeth are quite versatile, which allows us to enjoy a wide range of foods. We have incisors for biting, canines for tearing, and premolars and molars for grinding. Carnivorous animals have sharp, pointed teeth for tearing flesh, while herbivores have flatter, grinding teeth for plant material.

18) The earliest known performed dental work was on a woman who lived 13,000 years ago in Italy. Her front teeth have been found to have been scraped with a tool, most likely to treat an infection or abscess.

19) About 75% of school children worldwide have active dental cavities.

20) A lack of Vitamin D can make individuals more susceptible to tooth decay. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and boosts the immune system.

21) Cavities and gum disease can contribute to more serious conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. Bacteria from cavities can enter the bloodstream and move to different parts of the body, potentially causing inflammation and diseases elsewhere, including the heart.

22) Plaque begins to form on teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing. It’s important to brush at least twice a day to help prevent plaque from developing.

23) As a formal practice, dentistry is thought to have existed since 7000 BCE, which makes it over 9,000 years old. Evidence of early dentistry has been found in ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley Civilization (in Pakistan and Northern India) and Ancient Egypt.

24) The high-speed dental drill was invented in 1957, revolutionizing dental care. This drill improved speed, accuracy, pain management and availability of different procedures.

25) National Brush Day is celebrated by dentists on November 1st to encourage better dental health after Halloween candy indulgence.

26) Humans have two sets of teeth during their lifetime: deciduous teeth (baby teeth) and permanent teeth. Did you know that most animals, except some mammals like dogs and cats, continuously grow new teeth throughout their lives?

27) Humans and some other mammals like elephants are diphyodont, meaning they develop two sets of teeth during their lifetime. In contrast, many other animals, such as reptiles and fish, are polyphyodont, growing multiple sets of teeth throughout their lives.

28) Human teeth have a much smaller size-to-body ratio compared to many animals. For instance, a Tyrannosaurus Rex’s tooth can measure up to 12 inches! This is much larger than a human tooth relative to body size.

29) Unlike animals like sharks that can grow new teeth to replace lost ones, humans can only naturally replace their teeth once. If we lose a permanent tooth, it won’t grow back. But we have advancements like dentures and dental implants to replace them, if necessary!

30) Humans usually have symmetrical teeth, with the upper and lower jaws mirroring each other. This is not always the case in animals. For example, a narwhal has a single spiral tusk, while the other tooth often remains embedded in the skull.

Have questions about any of these dental fun facts or any of our dental services? Contact us – we’re here and happy to provide the dental assistance you need from Salem, Massachusetts!