Nothing says spooky more than weird dental facts from the past. Imagine what teeth were like back in the 1700-1800s. Not scared yet? Maybe some of these facts will get you in the spooky Halloween mood.
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Brushing Your Teeth Twice a Day is a Recent Change
In the early 1900’s only 7% of American households brushed their teeth or at least had toothpaste in their houses. During World War 1 most of the Army recruits had such poor oral hygiene that the military considered dental disease a national crisis. By the end of World War 2, most Americans were brushing their teeth daily. During the war, the military required soldiers to brush their teeth twice a day, and then they brought that habit home after the war. Today, brushing your teeth daily should be a habit in your household.
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Barbers and Blacksmiths were Your Dentist
In the early 1800’s, there was no such thing as a full-time dentist. Instead the job fell on blacksmiths and barbers to perform dental work. Barbers already worked with heads, even though hair and teeth are wildly different. And the blacksmiths skill with molten metal came in handy for filling cavities. Nowadays it is kind of a scary thought to think that your barber and blacksmith could do your dental work. Luckily today we have well trained professionals like your North Royalton Family Dentist.
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Beeswax Filled Ancient Cavities
An ancient tooth found in Slovenia had fillings made of beeswax. This may be the earliest known example of restorative dentistry, researchers say. The tooth is 65 centuries old and was found about 100 years ago. It was likely meant to reduce pain and sensitivity. Today, we have much better materials and tools to fill your cavities. And it’s a procedure that can be done quickly and with little pain.
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A Dentist Helped Invent Cotton Candy
Yep, you heard that right. The cotton candy making machine was co-invented by dentist William Morrison, with the help of confectioner John C. Wharton. They originally packaged it in wooden boxes and marketed it as “fairy floss.” While cotton candy used to only be available during carnivals today it is available at almost every supermarket. Sugary foods are okay to have in moderation but be sure to brush soon afterward or cavities could be in your future. This is especially important after a sweet filled night of trick-or-treating.
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Dentures Were Made of Animal Teeth
The tale that George Washington’s teeth were made of woods is totally false. His dentures were in fact made from human, cow and horse teeth and ivory. Today, dentures are made up of acrylic resin or porcelain. They are also made to look like your natural teeth and can really improve the quality of life for individuals missing some or most of their teeth. This is a service that we offer at your North Royalton Cosmetic Dentistry.
While some of these facts might not be as spooky as we led you to believe, they are interesting and it shows you how far we have come in the dental industry today. At North Royalton Family Dental we are always finding ways to help our patients get the solutions they need to their dental issues. Let us help you solve your spooky dental needs for optimal dental and overall health.
