I’ve been known to be a bit of a ‘trivia geek’. It’s a term I have been called many times (mostly without the trivia preface). To help expand my trivial knowledge, I have been studying up on some fun dental facts that I’m sure will end up on an episode of Jeopardy one day. So, if you’re looking to win a game show or just want to impress at your local bar’s next trivia night, read on. Hopefully one day, you’ll be answering Final Jeopardy, correctly.

 

The earliest known dentist was Hesi-ren, an Egyptian “doctor of the tooth” who lived around 3000 B.C.

The Romans used a mixture of bones, eggshells, oyster shells and honey to clean their teeth.

The first bristled toothbrush was made in China in 1498.

In the 1800s, blacksmiths and barbers also served as dentists.

The average toothbrush contains about 2500 bristles grouped into about 40 tufts per toothbrush.

There are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people on the Earth.

Cotton Candy was invented by a dentist and was originally called “fairy floss.”

During the middle ages, the customary cure for a toothache was to kiss a donkey.

Roughly 75% of school children worldwide have active dental cavities.

Kids miss 51 million school hours a year due to dental related illnesses.

Sports-related injuries account for approximately 5 million missing teeth per year.

Tooth enamel is the hardest structure in the human body.

Eating green veggies high in minerals, like broccoli, spinach and kale, will help strengthen the enamel on your teeth and help protect against stains.

According to the latest Original Tooth Fairy Poll, parents are leaving an average of $4.13 per tooth under their kids’ pillows.

In 2017, the Tooth Fairy paid out $271 million for lost teeth across the U.S.

The Tooth Fairy visits 84 percent of U.S. households with children.

In Mexico and other Latin countries, the job of the Tooth Fairy is performed by a mouse named, El Ratón Pérez.

A study done by Kelton on behalf of The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, found that Americans believe a smile is the one feature that will always remain the most attractive no matter how old we get. According to the study, 45% of those surveyed think that a person’s smile can defy the affects of aging while eyes come in a distant second at 34%.

The human tongue is like a fingerprint. No two people have the same tongue print.

A dentist named Alfred P. Southwick invented the Electric Chair.

The farmer in Grant Wood’s painting, “American Gothic” was actually the artist’s dentist.