You know sugar isn’t good for your teeth. Eating it often without brushing and flossing afterward is a recipe for tooth decay. 

In the spirit of Halloween, Jane Cotter, associate professor in the dental hygiene program at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, shared five other startling facts about teeth and oral healthcare.  

Don’t be afraid. Friendly dentists and dental hygienists know how to protect your teeth and save your smile. 

Hair-raising history: Barbers were dentists 

Need both a hair trim and a tooth extracted? If you lived in the Middle Ages, the local barber likely offered both services, according to the American Dental Association’s history of dentistry. They had razor-sharp tools. 

“The barber had nimble fingers and the public’s trust because they already knew how to trim a mustache with a razor without slitting a man’s throat,” Cotter said. “The barber acted fast, and that tooth was gone.” 

Eventually, two groups emerged: surgeons educated and trained to perform complex surgical operations and lay barbers, referred to as barber-surgeons, who performed routine hygienic services, including shaving and tooth extractions, ADA reported. 

There are monsters in your mouth 

About 700 species of microbes live in your mouth, including bacteria and fungi. National Institutes of Health reported that some are helpful, but others can cause tooth decay and gum disease. 

“Brushing and flossing helps, but the harmful microbes will return,” Cotter said. “Keep to a dental hygiene routine, limit sugary foods and drinks and brush your tongue because bad bacteria thrive there.” 

A scary thought: Your children might have cavities 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that half of children have had cavities in their baby or permanent teeth by age 9. The CDC also reported that, on average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned dental care. 

“Make sure children are brushing for at least two minutes in the morning and again before bed,” Cotter said. 

Boo! Cavities haunt adults, too 

More than 120 million adults lost at least one tooth due to decay or gum disease, according to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s new State of Oral Health in America report. 

“The easiest way to avoid problems is to brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially after meals and before going to bed,” she said. “Floss daily and eat nutritious, balanced meals.” 

In addition, visit your dentist regularly. Dentists often recommend checkups every six months. 

“If you have problems such as frequent cavities, gum disease or diabetes, visit more often,” Cotter said. “The sooner the problems are addressed, the healthier you will be.” 

A spooky truth: Cavities are contagious – sort of 

You can’t catch a cavity from someone else, but cavity-causing bacteria spread through saliva. Kissing and sharing drinks, utensils and vapes are among the ways bacteria can spread. 

“The bacteria can spread even when the other person doesn’t have cavities,” Cotter said. “Maintain good oral hygiene and avoid sharing.”