Fun Facts About Teeth
At Tooth Fairy Smiles, we understand that dental health isn’t always the best conversation with kids. It might not sound like a blast but there are ways to make it fun. While maintaining healthy teeth is essential for their overall health, sometimes we need to make it fun too! Get your kid talking about dental health with these fun facts about teeth.
Personal Tooth Truth
- Just like your fingerprint, your tooth print is also unique.
- We also have a tongue print which is unique and unlike anyone else in the world.
- The average American will spend a total of 38 and half days brushing their teeth in a lifetime.
- Plaque (the white or yellow paste on your teeth) is made up of more than 300 different types of bacteria.
- If you don’t floss every day, you are not cleaning about 40% of the surface of your tooth.
If you are right-handed, you will subconsciously chew their food on the right side of their mouth, and the same goes for left-handed people. However, if you are ambidextrous in your handwriting, you have the potential to be ambidextrous in your chewing as well.
The Animal Kingdom
Some other fun facts about teeth come from the animal kingdom. As you may know, humans will grow 32 teeth over their lifetime. However, dogs have 42, pigs grow 44 teeth, cats have 30, and Texas’ state animal the armadillo has 104 teeth. But, the animal who has the most teeth is the snail, whose mouth may be tiny but can house more than 25,000 teeth. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the largest mammal on the planet, the Blue Whale, who has to devour tiny shrimp because they surprisingly have no teeth.
Maintenance
As parents, you already know that sugar is a pain. It is also not great for kids teeth either. Eating and drinking sugar in excess is bad for a person’s overall health.
- An individual who drinks at least three sodas every day is more than 50% more likely to get tooth decay, require fillings, and suffer from tooth loss. To illustrate, a single can of soda can have anywhere from 10 to 12 teaspoons of sugar. The recommended daily amount of sugar is 6 to 9 teaspoons a day.
This is also why nearly 80% of the American population has a cavity or more by the age of 17. Also, children in America spend approximately $500,000 a year on chewing gum. Most chewing gum has a lot of “unrealized” sugar in it and can hurt a child’s baby and permanent teeth. No kid wants to end up like a giraffe, who only has bottom teeth.
Overall, it is important that you talk to your kids about their dental health. Let them know that their permanent teeth are important and that taking care of them is essential, especially as they get older. If you have any questions, please contact us today. Our friendly staff is here to address any concerns about your child’s dental health.
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