Spooky Scary Dental Facts to Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Spooky Scary Dental Facts to Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Brushing your teeth twice a day is an important dental practice to keep cavities away. But did you know that brushing your teeth wasn’t always the standard practice? Gross! Don’t believe us? Check out these spooky dental facts from the past that will haunt your dreams this Halloween.

1. Some candies have the same pH level as battery acid. You’ve heard that candy can rot your teeth, but it turns out that some sour candies have a pH level that’s nearly the same as battery acid. Yikes! WarHeads Sour Spray has a pH level of 1.6, just 0.6 pH away from battery acid’s pH level.
2. Ancient cavities were filled with beeswax. Tooth decay can cause serious discomfort. In fact, children with poor oral health are three times more likely to miss school as a result of dental pain. One of the earliest known examples of restorative dentistry to alleviate some of this pain was filling cavities with beeswax. In the 1800s, metal was softened and put into the tooth to fill cavities. Today, cavities are commonly filled with composite resin that matches the color of the tooth.
3. Brushing your teeth twice a day is a 20th-century practice. The American Dental Association, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly is important to keeping plaque at bay. This is because plaque can turn into tartar within just 24 hours, which increases your risk of cavities. However, not many people regularly brushed their teeth at all in the early 1900s. In fact, by World War I, the military considered poor oral hygiene a national crisis and urged Army recruits to brush their teeth regularly. By World War II, Americans were brushing their teeth twice a day to reduce the risk of decay.
4. Your barber used to be your dentist. Back in the early 1800s, your barber was a jack of all trades. When you needed your hair cut, beard shaved, or your tooth pulled, your barber was who you went to. Today, dentists are required to go through pre-dental programs before going to four-year dental schools.

Looking for local family dentists in Las Vegas to protect your child’s teeth? Hudson Family Dental is here for you. At our dental practice, we offer family dental services so everyone can get their dental work done all in one place. To learn more about our dental practice or to schedule an appointment with us, contact Hudson Family Dental today.