People do not often think about teeth or dentists, but there are actually some very interesting things to learn about both subjects. To feed the mind of the curious reader, here are some interesting facts about Dentists in California MD and the teeth on which they work.
Ancient Implants
The oldest recorded example of dental implants actually goes back to the days of the Mayan civilization. As far back as 600 AD, the Mayans were taking pieces of broken sea shells and hammering them into the gums of women. Luckily, dental technology has come a long way since then.
Nothing But The Tooth
Enamel, which is the outermost layer of the tooth, is the hardest substance in the human body. Scientists have determined it is technically harder than steel, but it can be broken more easily.
Brushing Habits
As hard as enamel is, there is still the need to brush the teeth daily. Unfortunately, one in four Americans does not brush their teeth on a daily basis. Of those who do brush their teeth on a regular basis, many do not brush for the recommended period of time. Dentists in California MD state that people should brush their teeth for two minutes. However, most people only brush for between 40 to 70 seconds.
Toothpaste
The substance most people think of when thinking of toothpaste has only existed for about 100 years. Before its invention, people brushed their teeth with pure baking soda, talc, ground coral, and even iron rust. Modern-day dentists do not recommend brushing teeth with rusty metal.
George’s Teeth
While it makes for a great tale, George Washington did not actually have wooden teeth. His dentures were actually made from gold, ivory, and teeth extracted from corpses. The primitive dentures were apparently incredibly uncomfortable and made the President very self-conscious. Unfortunately, dentists were a rare breed back then, and rotten teeth needing to be extracted was a common occurrence.
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