What is National Toothache Day?
National Toothache Day of the United States, which falls on February 9, serves as
a kind reminder of the benefits and overall importance of dental hygiene.
Toothaches, scientifically known as odontalgia, are exactly what they sound like,
the pain generated from either one or multiple teeth.
A toothache can make it difficult to eat, sleep, or sometimes even talk. While toothaches are not worth celebrating, we all can hear up the ways to stop them for good.
History
It’s believed by many historians that toothpaste was originally invented some
9,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. Egyptians of the time used a paste to clean their
teeth. They were also the first people to practice dentistry—making it one of the
oldest medical professions of all time.
HOW TO PREVENT TOOTHACHES?
Routine dental care is an essential first step.
Avoiding sugary foods and acidic drinks and daily brushing and flossing are important, too. Even so, we can still develop cavities, have accidents that break or chip at a tooth, or find ourselves with an infection. Teeth can also become sensitive to heat or cold.
Treating a toothache in the short term may be simply handled by over-the-counter
treatments, but seeing a dentist may still be required to resolve the issue. Some
toothaches are so severe as to require emergency intervention, thus treating the
early signs of a mild toothache is important.
FIRST TOOTHPASTE
In 1873, Colgate had mass-produced the first toothpaste, assuring everyone had
some sort of access to tooth-cleaning products.
However, good brushing habits were not mainstream in America until after the end of World War II, when soldiers stationed abroad brought the concept of proper dental hygiene back to their home country, and now, between straightening, whitening, and much more processes, people give their teeth the attention they deserve.
NOT-SO-COMMON FACTS
- In the Middle Ages, people used to kiss a donkey to try to cure toothaches.
- The Ancient Mayans chipped out pieces of their teeth and glued in semi-
precious gemstones. - The first toothbrushes were made from horsehair.
- Mice teeth never stop growing, therefore they have to constantly gnaw on things to keep them in line.
- Dolphins have up to 250 teeth.
- Children smile anywhere from 400 to 450 times a day.
