Weird Dental Facts
Exploring the Quirky and Curious World of Dentistry
We’ve collected the most bizarre, surprising, and downright strange stories from the world of dentistry. These weird dental facts will make you think twice the next time you pick up your toothbrush — and maybe even laugh a little.
Real vampire teeth aren’t just the stuff of myths — they’re a rare dental phenomenon with real-world causes. Uncover the condition behind fang-like canines and the vampire legends they may have inspired. It’s one of our most talked-about posts!
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From the truth behind real vampire teeth to strange saliva tricks and ancient toothpaste trivia, these Weird Dental Facts uncover the curious side of oral health — with stories you won’t find in most textbooks.
Robot Patients
In Japan, dental students can already practice their skills on life-like robots. This has come a long way from practice models -- called typodonts -- that were used by many dentists who are still in practice today. The robots can move, answer questions -- and will...
Neck and Neck
Which animal has the same number of teeth as humans? OK. So, you probably guessed it already: giraffes. Here are a few ineresting facts about giraffe teeth: The giraffe has one set of teeth at the front of its bottom jaw and one set at the back on the top jaw; but the...
Cavities Usually Don’t Hurt
Cavities usually don't hurt. What?! Anyone who has EVER had a toothache is likely to think . . . BS -- worst pain I ever had. And that could well be true. But here's the thing -- and we'll say it again -- cavities usually don't hurt. When they do, we are typically...
Lured by Hollywood
The American actor Edgar Buchanan (1903 - 1979) started his career as a practicing dentist. Perhaps best known for his TV roles in Judge Roy Bean (1956), Petticoat Junction (1963), and Cade's County (1971), he gave up dentistry at the age of 36 to become an actor. He...
Where, Exactly, Did You Lose That Tooth?
Most tooth loss in people under 35 is caused by accidents -- for example: athletic trauma, fights, or the occasional slip on a banana peel. Most tooth loss in people over 35 is caused by gum (periodontal) disease. Bonus fact: periodontal disease is the number one...
The Daily Grind?
Over 60 million Americans grind their teeth at night. Most of them are unaware of the habit . . . that is, until a problem arises. Even then, it's not always realistic to the individual that tooth grinding (also called bruxism) was the cause. Nevertheless, it is a...
This Wine Has an Interesting Bouquet
Reportedy, in the middle ages, people believed that dog’s teeth boiled in wine made an excellent mouth rinse for tooth decay prevention. We're thinking a lot of wine preceded this idea . . . .
No Periodontal Disease For Me, Dude (Shark Week Fact 7)
Shark teeth are not attached to gums on a root like our teeth. If they were, they would not be able to be replaced as quickly as sharks actually replace them. Shark teeth are arranged in neat conveyor belt rows and can be replaced within a day of losing one.
Tougher Than Tough (Shark Week Fact 6)
Shark teeth and human teeth are equally as hard, but the coating of shark teeth is acid resistant and less water soluble than our teeth.
These weird dental facts are just the beginning. Keep checking back as we uncover even more strange, funny, and fascinating discoveries from the dental world.
Want to explore more about oral health from a trusted source? Visit the American Dental Association’s research section.
