This Week’s Fun Facts: Sinking Your Teeth Into Teeth

Medieval “tooth worms” were a real diagnosis.
For centuries, people believed toothaches were caused by tiny worms burrowing inside teeth. Dentists would even try to “smoke them out.” There were no worms, of course. Just cavities doing their thing.

People used to reuse other people’s teeth.
In the 1700s and 1800s, dentures were often made from teeth taken from the poor or from soldiers killed in battle. After the Battle of Waterloo, so many teeth were collected they were nicknamed “Waterloo teeth.”

Your mouth has more bacteria than there are people on Earth.
Over 700 species can live in your mouth. Most are harmless (even helpful), but don’t invite them to stay by not brushing.

The first electric toothbrush appeared in the 1950s.
It was developed in Switzerland and originally designed for patients with limited motor skills.

There’s a condition where teeth grow in places they absolutely shouldn’t.
It’s called hyperdontia, and some people grow extra teeth, occasionally even in the roof of the mouth.

Cavities are technically contagious.
The bacteria that cause tooth decay can be passed through saliva — sharing utensils, kissing, even blowing on a child’s food.