Sometimes, it feels like our teeth were a bit of an afterthought in human design. We get only two sets: baby teeth that we lose by around age 10, and adult teeth, which are supposed to last the rest of our lives. These teeth are prone to infection and decay, and even using them normally wears them down. If a tooth’s outer layer gets damaged, the pain can be unbearable, especially if you need a root canal.
But there’s a lot more to our teeth than you might realize. Here are 15 interesting facts:
1. Your teeth start forming even before you’re born; tooth buds develop around the 14-week mark of fetal development.
2. In Medieval Europe, tooth care was handled by apothecaries and barbers. Apothecaries made potions and breath fresheners, while barbers extracted teeth with tools like pliers and knives.
3. People once believed cavities were caused by “tooth worms.” A remedy included sitting by a lit candle to lure the worm out.
4. Ancient Chinese people used to wrap sore teeth in parchment with prayers or spells to ease pain.
5. Regular flossing is linked to heart health. Skipping flossing can increase your risk of heart disease.
6. Some babies are born with tiny, weak teeth called “natal teeth,” which are usually removed soon after birth to avoid feeding issues and choking hazards.
7. Rarely, some people grow an extra set of teeth later in life after losing their adult teeth.
8. Some people never lose their baby teeth if no adult teeth come in to replace them.
9. Saliva helps protect and clean teeth. As we age, saliva production decreases, leading to more dental problems.
10. August 22 is celebrated as National Tooth Fairy Day in the United States.
11. Modern toothpaste was invented in the 1800s, but tooth-cleaning mixtures date back to 500 B.C. Toothbrushes originated in ancient China and were made from pig bristles.
12. Most Americans didn’t brush their teeth regularly until soldiers brought the habit back home from World War II.
13. Contrary to popular myth, George Washington didn’t have wooden dentures. His dentures were made from ivory, gold, and even lead.
14. Human teeth can handle up to 120 lbs of pressure per square inch, with the average adult able to exert around 120 lbs of biting pressure.
15. Wisdom teeth are vestigial, meaning they’re no longer necessary. In the future, people might stop developing them altogether, and some already don’t have them.
Our teeth might seem like they’ve got some design flaws, but they certainly come with some fascinating stories and facts!