5 Weird Facts You Never Knew About Your Dentist

You may only go to the dentist a few times a year but have you ever thought about all the crazy things that happen behind the scenes? The dental field is fascinating and with over 195,722 dentists in America, you know they have some crazy hidden facts.

Did you know that only one-third of millennials brush their teeth every day? Or what about that George Washington’s teeth were actually made from gold and ivory, not wood?

Even animals have some crazy hidden facts. Giraffes only have bottom teeth and elephants grind their molar down and regrow a new set six times over a lifetime.

In this article, we’re diving into 5 crazy and bizarre dental facts! Grab your toothbrush and floss, we’re getting started!

1. Tooth Tattoos

Did you know that you can not only tattoo your body but your skin as well?

Now you can only get a tooth tattoo on a crowned tooth, Now most dentists won’t cap a healthy tooth, but if your unhealthy tooth needs a crown, getting it inked is an upside to getting one. What kind of masterpiece would you fit on your teeth?

2. The Average American Will Spend 38.5 Days Brushing Their Teeth

On average, people brush their teeth between 45 to 70 seconds as opposed to the standard two minutes that dentists recommend.

Most people brush their teeth twice a day but there is a large percentage of people who go one or even two days without doing it! Millennials currently have the worst rap for brushing their teeth and a lot of them avoid going to the dentist in general.

3. The First Dentist Was from Egypt

“Hesi-Re” is the first ever recorded dentist and the first person to discover periodontal disease. His titles ranged from “Doctor of the Tooth,” “Chief of Dentists and Physicians,” and “Chief of the King’s Scribes” since he worked as a scribe, physician, and a dentist.

Hesi-Re lived over 5,000 years ago in Egypt during the Third Dynasty. Can you imagine if these guys had to process insurance claims? If you’re opening a new practice, you’ll definitely want to learn more here about how to do it.

4. Toothpaste Has Only Existed for About 100 Years

It’s hard to believe that the minty fresh paste we coat our teeth with every morning and night is a fairly new invention. In the grand scheme of humanity, anyway.

However, the Egyptians used a sort of paste on their teeth before the brush was actually invented. They made the first brush by taking a twig and fraying the ends.

In the 1873 Colgate produced the first modern toothpaste in a tube. The rest is history!

5. You Chew On Your Dominant Side 

Just like you have a dominant hand, you have a dominant side of your jaw. Most likely, if you write with your right hand, you’ll often chew dominantly with your right side, and vice versa with the left!

Growing your own dental practice? Let Better Practice Solutions help. Learn more here.

Looking for Dental Hacks? 

If you love dental hygiene as much as your dentist, then you’ll really want to check out these Weird Ways to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth. 

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