We have collated some fun and interesting facts about teeth to try and bring a bit of fun to your week.

• In China, in 1498, the first toothbrush with bristles was made, using hair from hogs, horses, and badgers. The first official commercial toothbrush was manufactured in 1938.
• Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body; however, we do NOT recommend that you use your pearly whites to open bottles!The plaque found on your teeth is home to more than 300 different species of bacteria.
• The average person spends about 48 seconds per day brushing their teeth, but dentists recommend at least 2 or 3 minutes.
• A snail’s mouth is no larger than the head of a pin, but can contain over 25,000 teeth!
• The average human has 32 teeth. Dogs have 42, cats have 30 and an armadillo has 104 teeth. Giraffes do not have any top teeth. A snail’s mouth may be smaller than a pin’s head, but it can have as much as 25,000 teeth.
• In Egypt, mummies have been found with fillings comprised of resin and malachite, and gold wire was used to bind together loose teeth.
• The Romans, in 200 AD, used pretty impressive dental technology! They restored cavity-ridden teeth with gold crowns, and utilized fixed bridgework to fix gaps from missing teeth. They also used a form of toothpaste concocted from honey and crushed eggshells.
• In Medieval Germany, the only cure for a toothache was to kiss a donkey.
• The average woman smiles about 62 times per day! A man? Only 8.
• Sports-related injuries account for approximately 5 million missing teeth per year, so make sure you wear a mouthguard, if you or your little ones are athletes.