10 Fun Dental Facts You Probably Didn’t Know!

THE TRUTH IS, our teeth are amazing! Without them we wouldn’t be able to speak, eat, sing, or smile properly. We’d like to celebrate our teeth by sharing some interesting dental facts you may not have known!

Here Are 10 Fun Dental Facts

1. If you've been using floss daily, by the end of the year the total length will be the perimeter of a baseball diamond! Is your floss going to make it to home plate?
2. Because birds lack teeth, many swallow stones or grits to aid in breaking up hard foods.
3. On average, women smile 62 times a day and men only eight times a day. Step it up, guys!
4. The average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth in their lifetime.
5. Only 40 percent of young people age six to 19 have had cavities in their life. That’s down from 50 percent a decade ago!
6. In the middle ages, people thought that a dog’s tooth boiled in wine made an excellent mouth rinse to prevent tooth decay. Tasty!
7. The Egyptian plover, also known as the crocodile bird, is famous for flying into crocodile mouths and cleaning their teeth.
8. Prior to the 1850's, ‘toothpastes’ were usually powders and contained soap and chalk.
9. An obscure law in Vermont states that it is illegal for women to wear false teeth without the written permission of their husband. Crazy!
10. Different animals have different amounts of teeth; armadillos have 104, pigs have 44, and humans have 32.

Another cool fact: the narwhal's tusk Is actually a tooth!

How Many Of These Facts Have You Heard Before?

It’s always fun to learn about the obscure facts and crazy history that make up our tooth trivia! Do you know any other cool dental facts? Comment below! And remember, take care of your teeth. They do so much for you!

We are grateful for our awesome patients!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Spring Is Here!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG here at Family Orthodontics! The beautiful sunshine, blooming flowers, and warmer weather have us feeling grateful for this wonderful season.

To welcome the incoming spring, we’d like to share what puts a spring in our step this time of year!

What We Love About Spring
From Alex:

My favorite thing about springtime is the weather. I enjoy the warm breeze and the sunsets. I also enjoy spring because my birthday is during this season!

My favorite activity to do during spring is walking. I enjoy walking around the parks, near the lakes, and at the malls.

From Kathy:

My favorite thing about spring is seeing the trees come back to life...it is a sign of renewal and fresh starts!  It gives me a happy, hopeful feeling every spring.

My favorite spring activities include hiking and container gardening. I do container gardening because I live in the woods and the deer eat everything I plant in the ground!!!!!

From Ashley: 

My favorite thing about springtime is walking through the park and hiking. I also very much enjoy gardening and watching all the flowers bloom!


From Jenna:

My favorite thing about springtime is to see the flowers blooming after winter. Breathing the fresh spring air is so refreshing! 

My favorite activity to do during springtime is long boarding! It is exciting and relaxing!

From Brennan:

My favorite thing about spring is to take long walks outside and watch the sun go down. I enjoy that the days turn into night later now. 

My favorite activity is to exercise outside and to spend time with my family and friends doing outside activities, such as walking and playing soccer. 

From Dr. Jung:

My favorite thing about spring is the start of the warmer weather and the clean refreshing spring air. 

My favorite activities during springtime is gardening, hiking in the mountains and most of all, spending time with my children outside! 


Is Spring YOUR Favorite Season?

Do you love spring as much as we do? Let us know in the comments below or reach out to us on Facebook! As always, we’re so thankful for you and appreciate your loyalty to our practice.

Happy Spring!

Did You Know We Offer Different Types Of Braces?

HERE AT Family Orthodontics, we know every patient is unique. That’s why we offer different types of braces! We want to provide you with the best fit possible for your smile’s particular needs as well as your lifestyle. We Offer A Variety Of Braces Types of braces we offer in our practice: Traditional metal braces Clear ceramic braces Invisalign Traditional metal braces is a very popular choice. They consist of metal wires and low profile metal brackets. They provide high quality results while also being durable.  Clear ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, however, they provide the cosmetic benefit of being clear. Great choice for those who want braces, but prefer them not to be as noticeable. However, they are slightly more fragile than metal braces. Invisalign is a modern approach to straightening teeth. They are custom-made series of clear aligners individual to each patient. The aligners change approximately every 2 weeks. The beauty of the aligners are they are clear and removable. Simply take them out when you eat and place them back in when you are finished. They should be worn approximately 22 hours out of the day. They do require a commitment and discipline more so than traditional braces because traditional braces cannot be removed. Our Patients Are Our Priority We do not believe in a “one size fits all” mentality. Our practice is devoted to serving our patients based on their unique needs and preferences. Feel free to contact us to set up your FREE Orthodontic consultation with us today! Your smile will thank you! We are grateful for our loyal patients! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

What Is a Frenectomy?

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD of a person being “tongue-tied” or “lip-tied”? As dental professionals, we care about the health of your mouth as a whole, not just your teeth. When a tongue- or lip-tie is present, some problems may arise that we can help with!

Why Do Lip And Tongue-Ties Occur?

A lip or tongue-tie occurs when a thin tissue in the mouth called a frenum is overgrown. There are two kinds of frena in the mouth, labial (lip) frena and the lingual (tongue) frenum. The labial frena can be found in the center of the lips, connecting the inside of your upper and lower lips to the gum tissue. You can see the tongue frenum by looking in the mirror and lifting your tongue up to touch the roof of your mouth.

The purpose of the frenum is to limit certain muscle movements to prevent tissue damage. When the frenum tissue is excessive, however, it has the potential to do more harm than good.

What Problems Can Arise As A Result Of A Tongue Or Lip Tie?

A tongue-tie restricts the tongue and prevents it from moving freely. A lip-tie refers to a frenum that attaches too far down on the gum. The complications of both conditions are similar. Tongue and lip-ties can:

• Cause pain and discomfort
• Result in speech impediments
• Make it difficult for children to keep their teeth clean
• Complicate nursing and eating later in life
• Lead to periodontal issues such as receding gums
• Result in misaligned teeth and bite

Tongue And Lip Ties Can Have Orthodontic Repercussions

Severe lip-ties have the potential to cause what is called diastema—a space or gap between two teeth. Excessive frenal tissue can prevent our front two teeth from erupting in proper alignment, as well as push the teeth apart after orthodontic treatment.

Tongue ties can also cause a gap between the bottom front teeth. Other consequences may include developing dental crowding (malocclusion) or an abnormal bite.

What Is A Frenectomy?

A frenectomy is a simple procedure that can be performed by dental and medical professionals where the excess tissue on the frenum is removed. Before performing a frenectomy, several factors are taken into account, including the possibility that the condition may correct itself over time.

Share Your Concerns With Us

If you or your child are receiving orthodontic treatment and are concerned about a possible lip-tie or tongue-tie, let us know. We’d be more than happy to answer your questions and together, we’ll figure out the best way to move forward!

If you have not had an orthodontic consultation yet, call today to set up your FREE consultation with us!

Thank you for your loyalty!