A Different Toothpaste Ingredient: Tooth-Connected Trivia

At one point in history, dentists had the highest suicide rate of any medical profession. It was believed to occur because so many people dreaded going to the dentist's office, that it caused depression in the practitioners. Or maybe it was because of the weird toothpaste ingredient suggestions they made.

The situation is different today. Just ask Time Magazine editors, who found that 59 percent of North Americans would rather go to the dentist than sit next to someone using a cell phone. Fortunately, advances in dental instruments, materials and preventive care have made most dental visits relatively painless.

So, relax and sink your teeth into these bits of dental trivia:

* The average adult has 32 teeth.

* In people under age 35, most tooth loss is due to athletic-related trauma, fights or accidents. In people over 35, the cause is advanced gum disease (periodontitis).

* Toothpaste ingredients was used as long ago as 500 BC in both China and India.

* Tooth decay is the oldest and most common disease in humankind. Tooth decay has been identified in prehistoric skulls.

* The first true bristled toothbrush originated in China around 1600 AD. The bristles were obtained from the necks and shoulders of hogs. Later models used bristles from horses and even badgers.

* If you don't floss, you miss cleaning 35 percent of your tooth surfaces.

Nylon toothbrushes were introduced in 1938 by DuPont Corporation.

* The jaws of the average adult can exert 30 to 40 pounds per square inch. Denture wearers, in contrast, can get up to about 15 pounds.

* During the Dark Ages (400 to 1,400 A.D.), it was popularly believed that you could grow a lost tooth by obtaining a tooth from someone else.

* Twenty percent of all people wearing braces are between the age of 20 and 60. Braces themselves were invented in France in 1728.

* Both black and green teas contain antibacterial properties that can help prevent cavities and gum disease. Maybe we should add it to toothpaste ingredient lists.

* Athletes are 60 times more likely to damage their teeth if they don't wear a mouth guard during athletic activities.

* One hundred years ago, nearly half the population in American society were toothless. Today, less than 10 percent of adults over 65 have lost all their teeth.

* Gum disease has been linked to a variety of serious diseases, including heart disease, kidney disease, internal organ damage and systemic infections.

* The first toothbrush patent was awarded to H.N. Wadsworth, an American, in 1857.

* The teeth of a growing fetus begin to develop only six weeks after conception.

* September 20 is "Love Your Teeth Day," a national holiday in China.

Dental floss and toothpick grooves have been found in the teeth of prehistoric humans.

* Levi Spear Parmly, a New Orleans dentist, is credited with inventing modern dental floss. In 1815, he promoted flossing with a piece of silk thread.

Today, using an all natural like OraMD® and carefully watching toothpaste ingredient lists is a good way to keep your teeth healthy. Toothpaste, mouthwash and good dental advice can go a long way in preventing oral health problems.