Posted
on February 9, 2015
Umm...why
oh why are we celebrating toothaches?
Actually,
today is the Feast Day of the Catholic Saint Apollonia. She was said
to have been tortured by having all of her teeth pulled or
shattered—yikes! That sounds truly terrible!—and so one of her
specialities as a saint is supposed to be helping with dental woes.
One
of the reasons that you and I are so lucky to be alive today instead
of during Apollonia's time (waaaaayyy back in the 3rd
Century) is that we have so much better dental care, and so most of
us have few or none really severe toothaches. Frequent problems with
teeth used to be quite common before people had invented electric
toothbrushes, dental floss, and modern dental fillings.
What
causes toothaches?
Mild
pain while chewing, or a quick twinge when the tooth is exposed to
very hot or very cold foods or drinks, is common.
However, more
severe pain or even mild pain that lasts a long time is probably a
sign that there is either a cavity or an infection.
It
is the soft central portion of the tooth, the pulp, that contains
nerve endings that are sensitive to pain.
The best thing to do if you have a toothache is to go to a dentist (of course). The best thing to do if you do NOT have a toothache is to take care of your teeth—brush, floss, and get them professionally cleaned regularly—so you never do!
Here
is a video for little kids about teeth and dental care.
Did you know...?
...that society no longer allows cocaine in our toothache drops?
...Did you know that society DID used to allow cocaine it toothache drops--and they only cost 15 cents!
Also on this date:
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ahead:
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out my Pinterest boards for:
And
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