Most holidays are in celebration of something, or at the very least, are meant to commemorate an event or person. National Toothache Day isn’t one of those holidays. No, it’s a day that serves to remind people of the importance of taking care of their teeth because if they don’t, they may end up with a terrible toothache. That’s why when people observe this holiday on February 9th, they should put their oral health at the forefront of their festivities and try to avoid sugary sweets.

The History of Toothpaste

Even though we researched National Toothache Day thoroughly, we just weren’t able to figure out who invented it or precisely when it was invented. We do know that it appeared sometime around the beginning of the 21st century, but we couldn’t find any mentions of its origins beyond that.

That’s why we’ve decided to instead talk about the history of toothpaste. It’s believed by many historians that toothpaste was originally invented some 9,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. Egyptians of the time used a paste to clean their teeth. They were also the first people to practice dentistry—making it one of the oldest medical professions of all time.

The first modern toothpaste wasn’t invented until the late 19th century, however. Colgate made the first toothpaste in 1873, and following that, they began to mass-produce toothbrushes. At the time, however, toothpaste and toothbrushes didn’t catch on with the American public, and it wasn’t mainstream until after World War II. Fortunately, things are a lot different today, and toothpaste and toothbrushes have become widespread practices.

Facts About Teeth & Toothaches

During our research, we came across some interesting facts about teeth, dentistry, and toothaches, so we decided to share some of the most interesting items below. Hopefully, the following facts will make everyone who reads them smile.

• In the Middle Ages, people used to kiss a donkey to try to cure toothaches.
• The Ancient Mayans chipped out pieces of their teeth and glued in semi-precious gemstones.
• The first toothbrushes were made from horsehair.
• Mouse teeth never stop growing; therefore, they have to constantly gnaw on things to keep them in line.
• Dolphins have up to 250 teeth.
• Children smile anywhere from 400 to 450 times a day.

Observing National Toothache Day

Since this day observes one of the worst pains a person can experience, it’s probably not a day that anyone is going to want to celebrate. Instead, it’s probably a day in which people are going to want to take a good hard look at their dental hygiene routine. It’s also a good idea to think about getting a dental checkup, or maybe it’s a good day to think about removing sweets from your diet. And while you’re observing this day, be sure to let everyone else know by using the hashtag #NationalToothacheDay on your social media accounts.