1- Sugar Troubles
About 10,000 years ago, people began farming wheat, corn, and other grains, which—strange as it might sound—led to tooth problems. When we eat grains, our bodies turn them into sugar. This sugar causes cavities.
2- Earwax Fillings
In ancient times, people used interesting materials to fill cavities. These included silver, earwax, and even mashed-up bird brains!
3- Pig Brush
The bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498. The bristles were made of hair from a hog. Bristles today are made of nylon.
4- Ladybug Mush
To make tooth pain go away, some ancient people used salt. In Italy in the 1700s, people used crushed ladybugs.
5- Tooth Robbers
In the 1800s, criminals stole the teeth of soldiers who died in battle. They sold these teeth to dentists, who used them to fix the smiles of rich people.
6- Magical Water?
A mineral called fluoride is added to tap water in parts of the U.S. Why? Fluoride—also found in many toothpastes— protects teeth from cavities. People whose homes have water with fluoride tend to have healthier teeth.
7- Braces Nation
Today, 4 million Americans have braces. Clear braces are made from a material that was first created by the space agency NASA!