Fun Facts from Mama Gums
(one for every day of the month)

Check back here often for fun facts about your gums, your teeth, and your overall health.

1	You must never share your toothbrush with anyone . . . especially your dog!
2	What we munch on, the germs in our mouths lunch on.
3	We have 4 different types of teeth with four different functions: biting, tearing, crushing, grinding.
4	Your smile will last a lifetime if you take good care of it.
5	Never put a baby to bed with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, sugar water or soft drinks. A bottle with plain water is the only thing that will not cause tooth decay.
6	Toothpicks have been made of a variety of products besides wood. In ancient times, people used picks made of bone, quills, silver or gold.
7	Replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become worn, splayed or frayed. Change your brush at the start of every new season (summer-fall-winter-spring).
8	Gums should not bleed upon brushing. This is an indication of a gum infection. Sore bleeding gums and pink in the sink are not normal.
9	Eat plenty of detergent foods to keep your teeth clean. Examples include apples, carrots, celery and other raw vegetables and fruits.
10	Raisins and dried fruits can cause more tooth decay than chocolate because they stay on the teeth longer and therefore feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
11	Bacteria are transmitted from person to person through kissing.
12	Mothers can pass mouth germs to their babies by sharing utensils, kissing them, and tasting their food before feeding it to them.
13	More than 600 strains of bacteria have been identified in dental plaques (biofilms).
14	Forehead Kiss: A kiss on the forehead is a comforting kiss to receive. It feels accepting and nurturing, and … it doesn’t spread germs.
15	“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
16	It is important to brush your pet’s teeth daily. To start, dip your finger into beef bouillon (for your dog) or tuna water (for your cat). Rub gently along the gums and teeth paying special attention to the gum line. Massage all over your pet’s mouth. As your pet seems more comfortable, introduce gauze over your finger, or a soft toothbrush, and rub the teeth and gums in a circular fashion.
17	Pet owners beware: Common findings of oral problems include offensive breath, disinterest in eating or chewing, pawing at the face or mouth and loss of energy.
18	Like dentures, braces also serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. The best and easiest way to clean around wires is by using an irrigating tool like the Mama Gums’ Plaque Blaster. It’s easy and convenient because you can do it in the shower. Kids (and Moms) check out the Plaque Blaster article.
19	Gum disease in your cat or dog not only can cause them misery from the pain, but can also affect their heart, liver, and kidneys. In addition, pets with advanced oral diseases often suffer from nutritional problems because it is usually painful for them to eat.
20	The second most prevalent disease in the United States is dental decay. The first is the common cold. Ahhh-chew!
21	Ants can lift up to 50 times their body weight using their mouths.
22	Crocodiles don’t brush their teeth, but they have a symbiotic relationship with a little bird called the Plover that picks their teeth for bits and pieces of leftover food.
23	Did you know that a snail has about 25,000 teeth on its tongue?
24	If a tooth gets knocked out, and you cannot reinsert it, transport it to the dentist in a cup of milk or water. See a dentist immediately. Time is critical in saving the tooth.
25	George Washington’s dentures were made from various animal teeth including walrus, hippo and cow teeth, as well as elephant tusks.
26	The wisdom teeth or 3rd molars develop in the average person between the ages of 17 and 21 and have nothing to do with how smart we are.
27	Human adults have 32 teeth, the average mosquito has 47 teeth, an opossum has 50 teeth. The Lemon Shark grows a new set of teeth every two weeks.
28	In ancient Egyptian times, you were more likely to suffer from toothache if you were wealthy. This was because those who could afford it ate sweets (such as honey), while the workers ate onions.
29	Snails are very small, but they can have thousands of tiny teeth all lined up in rows.
30	Minnows have teeth in their throat.
31	Rabbit's teeth never stop growing. They keep them worn down by gnawing on hay, bark, and other hard foods.