October is here, and with it comes one of the most fun holidays of the year. Halloween allows families to spend time together and enjoy spooky, but safe, activities. However, Halloween is scary not only because of the ghosts and ghouls but because of the high potential for tooth decay that can follow the holiday. There are many scary facts about teeth that you might want to know about– some that are as spooky as your Halloween costume! Continue reading to learn about several scary facts about teeth.
Scary Facts About Teeth
#1: Teeth Infections Can Lead To Brain Nerve Damage
One of the scary facts about teeth that we want to make clear to our patients is that tooth infections can lead to serious problems with other parts of the body including the rest of the mouth, the jaw, and (in some cases) the brain. Tooth infection syndrome occurs when a tooth gets an infection and then the infection spreads to the brain, causing a brain abscess. A brain abscess is a sac that is filled with pus and causes life-threatening swelling in the brain. Although uncommon, it is important to take care of tooth infections as soon as possible in order to avoid issues such as tooth infection syndrome.
#2: Only 50% Of Children Brush Twice Daily
Another frightening fact that parents might find disturbing is that only 50% of children in the United States brush their teeth twice a day. This astonishing finding is scary because it means many children are at risk of developing cavities (aka tooth decay). It has been found that there is a high correlation between parents encouraging their kids to brush their teeth and children actually brushing. So make sure that you teach your child the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day– especially after they enjoy a bucket’s worth of candy this holiday season.
#3: Sour Candy Can Strip Your Teeth
Your teeth have a protective layer on them called enamel. Enamel is the strongest material in your body and keeps your teeth in great shape. However, there are certain substances that you put in your mouth that can be harmful to your teeth and gradually wear down your enamel. Acidic foods that have a high pH level can eat at your enamel. The sourest candies have pH levels of 1.6 to 3. Knowing that enamel can be stripped with foods with a pH lower than 4, it is advisable to avoid sour candies as often as possible.
#4: Teeth Never Stop Growing For Some Mammals
Some of the most unsettling things to look at on a body are long, unkempt fingernails. While this may not be cause for extreme fear in many people, the idea of long, never-ending growing teeth may bring up much more nervousness. Luckily, human teeth stop growing somewhere after the age of twelve, but for other mammals, that’s not the case. Rats, which are one of the most deeply disgusting kinds of animals, have teeth that will grow from the moment they are born until they die. In fact, rat teeth can grow up to five inches longer every year!
#5: Dental Care Was Once Performed By Barbers
One of the scariest tooth facts is that dental care was once performed by barbers and blacksmiths. And all that they could do for you if you had a toothache was pull the tooth out! In colonial times, the only people that had access to the tools necessary to do a tooth pull would be your local barber or blacksmith. Imagine asking someone who works with dirty hair or metal all day to put their hands in your mouth to fix a tooth issue. That’s definitely our definition of a nightmare!
Reach Out For Quality Dental Services
If you are looking for a dentist that can provide you with non-scary dental services, we would be more than happy to help you out here at Hendersonville Family Dental. For more information, feel free to reach out to us today.
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