Our office works with patients to ensure they are maintaining great oral health care. We also enjoy having fun and sharing some great dental trivia with our patients. We do whatever we can to get our patients to evaluate the importance of their teeth and smile.

Today I have 7 amazing dental facts that I think will surprise you. What’s the deal with shark teeth? What type of dentures did George Washington have? What are some of the biggest dental discoveries that have happened over the past few decades? Learn all of this and more by reading this article.

Here we go:

1. George Washington didn’t have wooden teeth. George Washington had notoriously terrible teeth. Historians say he had just one remaining tooth by the time he took office as our nation’s first president. We do know that Washington had dentures, and historians even once uncovered an invoice sent to Washington for false teeth made from hippopotamus tusk.

2. Sharks do not get cavities. Most of us know that sharks have several rows of teeth. But it turns out sharks also do not get cavities. Any animal with teeth can have tooth decay, with the exception of sharks it seems. The reason is that shark teeth are coated with fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is known to reduce the risk of tooth decay. If you have a problem with cavities, consider fluoride treatment or using oral hygiene products with fluoride.

3. Floss can get you out of trouble. Floss is a powerful tool. Just ask the West Virginia man who used floss to escape from jail. The man braided the floss into a rope and scaled a wall. He was later apprehended. We recommend that you use floss for good! Flossing your teeth helps prevent cavities and gum disease.

4. Dental implants were used in ancient civilizations. Archeologists have found that some of the earliest civilizations used dental implants. These implants were made from things like shells, stones, or even human teeth. Don’t worry, we don’t use anything like that. Today we use titanium posts that join with your jawbone and can be restored with single crowns, bridges, or dentures.

5. Non-cola soda is worse for teeth than cola. A recent study found that non-cola beverages (Sprite, 7 UP, etc.) are more likely to cause tooth decay than cola beverages like Coca Cola, Pepsi, or Dr. Pepper. The reason is that sodas like Sprite have higher levels of citric acid, which is known to cause cavities. The same study found that root beer is the soda least likely to cause tooth decay. Don’t take this information the wrong way; sodas are filled with sugar, which is terrible for your teeth. You’re probably better off avoiding soda or monitoring your soda intake.

6. Sports are hard on your teeth. Every year, sports activities claim 5 million teeth! That’s a startlingly high number of teeth being knocked out. You can knock out teeth playing contact sports like football or hockey, but also during non-connect sports like basketball or soccer. The best way to protect your teeth is with an athletic guard. Your dentist can create an athletic guard that fits snuggly over your teeth and does not obstruct your airway.

7. Your enamel is the body’s hardest substance. Your tooth enamel, not your bone, is the hardest substance in your body. The enamel is the outer layer of your tooth and protects the tooth from harmful bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay. While the enamel is extremely strong, even it can fail due to stress or acid exposure. A regular cleaning and polishing will help keep your enamel strong and your mouth healthy.

Some of these dental facts are silly, but they are all connected to dentistry and oral health. Our office provides preventive and restorative care, along with durable and long-lasting replacement tooth options. If you are in between dentists or have glaring dental issues that need to be addressed, call our office today at 248-329-3552.