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10 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Your Teeth

There are things that we do and things that we utilize every day that we take for granted; things that can appear to be “common knowledge” that we don’t take the time to get to know any more about. There are very few things in the world that we live with and utilize more on a daily basis than our mouths. Listed below are 10 interesting facts about teeth, oral hygiene and/or dentistry altogether. Here is an opportunity to stun your friends with a fun fact here or there!

1.) The average American spends a total of 38.5 days brushing their teeth over the course of their lifetime.

2.) The protective layer on the outermost layer of your tooth is called enamel, which contains the highest percentage of minerals and is the hardest part of the body. (It’s even harder than bone!)

3.) The lifespan of a tastebud is only 10 days.

4.) We, as American consumers, collectively purchase 14 million gallons of toothpaste every year.

5.) The average woman smiles about 62 times a day. For men it’s only 8! Come on, gents, say “cheese”!

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6.) In 1950, the average gift from the Tooth Fairy was 25 cents. In 1988 it quadrupled to $1.00. Nowadays, the going rate for a tooth is a whopping 2 bucks!

7.) The stoic, pitchfork-holding farmer in the world-renowned Grant Wood painting “American Gothic” is actually the famous Iowan painter’s dentist.

8.) 94% of Americans claim that they brush their teeth nightly before bed. 81% of them say it’s the first thing they do in the morning.

9.) William F. Semple from Mount Vernon, Ohio had the first “dental patient” in the year 1869. The reason for his visit was due to chewing gum.

10.) The average person brushes their teeth for a total of 45-70 seconds a day. (Remember, the recommended time to brush your teeth is 2-3 minutes!)

Now think of all the other things in your life you could learn just a little bit more about! Surprise your friends with your new dental knowledge and don’t forget about your checkup—contact us to make an appointment at Crestwood Dental Group today!


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Dr. James Maxwell

Dr. James Maxwell graduated from Allegheny College with a B.S. Degree in Biology in 1995, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine with a Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree in 2000. He stays abreast of developments in dentistry by following over 100 hours of continuing education courses each year, ex. Advanced Laser Dentistry courses and training at The Dawson Academy. He became the sole practitioner of Crestwood Dental Group in 2003.

Dr. Maxwell focuses on cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dentistry though he is skilled in all areas of general dentistry. A member of many professional organizations such as the American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association, and the Greater St. Louis Dental Society, he has been nominated as a top dentist in St. Louis for five consecutive years by his peers. The list appears in St. Louis Magazine.

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