Quinn Minute – The tooth of the matter

I got an e-mail from one of my newspaper friends wondering when old toothbrushes should be switched out for new ones.

Frankly, I know little about the mouth, but I once gave an oral report. And I must admit my teeth aren’t all mine, but they will be after three more payments.

Several hundred years ago, a person cleaned his teeth with a quill. But if he used that same quill to write a letter with invisible ink, the next time he picked his teeth he risked becoming a ghostwriter.

The invention of nylon toothbrushes in the late 1930s led to healthier teeth and gums.

Some folks were instructed to brush along the gum line. But a few misunderstood and spit out their gum.

Two recent reports discuss brushing’s benefits. The first study says people with gum disease may be more likely to develop narrow blood vessels, which could lead to health problems that might eventually result in the eternal dirt nap.

A second report says if you brush your teeth one minute, it burns three calories. The document adds that people who keep their teeth clean may pay attention to other health issues, too.

This means that many brushers might also be joggers. But it’s hard to do both at the same time without drooling toothpaste.

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