Interesting Facts About Teeth

At Heritage Dental, we won’t hesitate to tell you that we love everything about teeth! If you’re interested in learning some interesting facts about human teeth, animal teeth, and the history of dentistry, we’ve got them for you right here.

Teeth & Oral Hygiene Facts

Did You Know?

• Just like a fingerprint, each tooth has an individual shape and size that is unique to each person. This is one reason that forensic dentists are sometimes called to the scene of crimes or disasters to help identify victims and perpetrators.
• Tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body! Although your enamel is incredibly durable, it can erode, crack, and chip. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush your teeth, to wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth, and to avoid jaw breakers, chewing ice, and opening packaging with your teeth.
• If you brush your teeth for the recommended twice a day for two minutes each time, you’ll only spend a little over 1 day brushing your teeth each year. That’s a small amount of time to maintain a smile that is healthy and beautiful!
• Although there are exceptions, right-handed people tend to prefer chewing on the right side of their mouths, while left-handed people tend to like chewing on the left side.

Animal Teeth Facts

Did You Know?

• Giraffes have no front teeth on their upper jaw! They have a hard palate at the top jaw line with molars in the back.
• While humans only have 28-32 adult teeth, certain species of snails can have over 25,000 teeth.
• An elephant can grow six sets of molars in a lifetime. These teeth can weigh over 6 pounds each!
• Some animals act like dentists and dental hygienists for their neighbors. For example, when a Nile crocodile waits with its mouth open, an Egyptian plover bird often stops for a snack by picking at and cleaning the crocodile’s teeth. After performing this service, the bird leaves unharmed.

Interesting Facts About Dental History

Did You know?

• Early toothbrushes were made of twigs that our ancestors chewed on.
• The first recorded “dentist”, named Hesi-Ra, lived in Egypt thousands of years ago.
• Ancient Greeks used tooth powders made of unusual ingredients, like pumice and talc, to clean their teeth.
• Though Emeline Roberts Jones began practicing at her husband’s dental practice in 1855 after teaching herself basic fillings and extractions, Lucy Beaman Hobbs became the first female dentist with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1866.

Modern Dental Care in Katy, TX

As you can see, teeth are as unique as they are important. We are lucky to live in a time with so many available options for modern, affordable, and comfortable dental care. Here at Heritage Dental, we strive to help each of our patients have a stress-free and enjoyable visit with us. We provide sedation dentistry, office-wide Wi-Fi, an internet station, complimentary refreshments, amenities for kids, pillows, blankets, TVs in our private treatment rooms, and comprehensive dental services. Contact us to schedule your next cleaning and checkup!