Tooth Trivia

Sometimes kids forget to keep up with their oral hygiene responsibilities so here’s some cool tooth trivia to get your kid(s) in Hamburg, PA interested:

Did you know that George Washington, the first president of the United States, had false teeth because his real teeth were so bad that they had to be removed? After many attempts to create dentures comfortable enough for Washington to wear, a set of false teeth were constructed out of teeth from a cow, a hippopotamus and a walrus. Dr. Robert Bryan stresses that kids brush their teeth twice a day to avoid rotten baby teeth, and so that they can keep all 32 of their permanent teeth.

Can you guess what people used to use to brush their teeth? The first toothbrush with nylon bristles like yours and mines wasn’t invented until 1938. Before then, people would chew on the end of a stick until it formed a brush which was then used to clean their teeth. And before the invention of toothpaste in the beginning of the 20th century, people used to use ashes, chalk, charcoal, honey, lemon juice, crushed egg shells or parts of animal hooves. Dr. Bryan recommends using a soft toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride.

How about this one: Did you know that elephants only have four teeth? Elephants have two upper molars and two lower molars that measure one foot across and weigh 9lbs. Because they grind their food, their teeth are worn down to the gum line and eventually they fall out. And unlike us, an elephant may go through six sets of teeth in its lifetime. Dr. Bryan wants kids to remember that we only have two sets of teeth, our baby teeth and our adult (permanent) teeth, so we have to take care of them to avoid chipped, fractured or broken teeth.

Go over these fun facts with your child while they are brushing/flossing their teeth You want to get your child in the habit of brushing twice a day and flossing daily, more if they have braces. And if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Bryan at 610.562.5185.