Where does the nutcracker come from? How many teeth do reindeer have? How did the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe begin? These are just some of the interesting questions answered in this week’s blog.

Read this week’s blog by Dental Center 4Smile and impress your loved ones with fun facts at Christmas gatherings.

THE NUTCRACKER

Today, the nutcracker is one of the most recognizable Christmas figurines and serves a purely decorative purpose – but did you know that it originally functioned as a real nut-cracking tool?

An old German folk tale says that a farmer once offered a reward to anyone who could help him crack the nuts growing on his tree.
A carpenter suggested sawing the nut in half, while a soldier suggested shooting it.
However, the best idea came from a toymaker-he made a wooden doll with strong jaws designed to crack nuts.
The farmer rewarded the toymaker by giving him his own workshop, and today that doll is known as the nutcracker!

It was once customary in Germany for people to display their nutcrackers on tables during dinner so guests could enjoy them and be encouraged to talk about each German nutcracker.
Nuts were a popular dessert at the time, and guests were encouraged to crack their own nuts as a sign of celebration and solidarity against oppressive leadership.

Although the nutcracker once cracked nuts with its teeth, we definitely do not recommend imitating it.
On the contrary, be careful with nuts, as they are one of the most common causes of broken teeth during the Christmas season!
Avoid biting hard foods and party tricks such as opening bottles with your teeth.
Spend Christmas with family and friends-not in the dentist’s emergency room!

REINDEER TEETH

Did you know that reindeer have more teeth than humans?
While adults have 32 teeth, Santa’s favorite helpers have 34!

A greater number of teeth allows reindeer to chew their food more efficiently. Interestingly, in addition to having more teeth, reindeer also have sharp incisors.
Although they eat plant-based food, sharp teeth are necessary for cutting and chewing fresh grass.

Just as functionality and the number of teeth are important for reindeer, they should be important for humans as well!
Missing teeth do not only affect the appearance of your smile, but also your long-term health.

If you have problems with missing teeth, Dr. Ivan Antolković will offer solutions tailored to your individual case – all you need to do is contact Dental Center 4Smile.

KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Kissing under mistletoe is a well-known holiday tradition, and the history of this plant’s symbolism goes far back in time.

The ancient Greeks used mistletoe as a cure-all, while the romantic tradition began with Celtic Druids in the 1st century AD.
Because mistletoe could bloom even during freezing winters, the Druids viewed it as a sacred symbol of vitality and gave it to both people and animals in hopes of restoring fertility.

Another famous chapter of mistletoe folklore comes from Norse mythology.
Legend says that when it was foretold that Odin’s son Balder would die, his mother Frigg, the goddess of love, went to all animals and plants in the natural world and made them swear they would not harm him.

However, Frigg forgot to consult the humble mistletoe, so the trickster god Loki made an arrow from the plant and used it to kill the otherwise invincible Balder.
According to a brighter version of the myth, the gods succeeded in resurrecting Balder. Overjoyed, Frigg then declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to kiss everyone who passed beneath it.

Kissing under mistletoe is a wonderful way to show someone you love them, but during the cold season you should be extra cautious if you want to avoid getting sick.
Germs and viruses can be transmitted through saliva, and kissing can also increase the risk of cavities.

Still, reducing risk is simple: maintain regular oral hygiene-brush your teeth regularly, rinse with an oral irrigator, and visit your dentist, Ivan Antolković, every six months.

CHRISTMAS IN DENMARK

Christmas celebrations in Denmark are a serious matter, especially when it comes to Christmas dinner.
Danes traditionally enjoy Christmas dinner for several hours and have a traditional dessert called Risalamande.

This large Christmas dessert consists of rice pudding topped with cherry sauce, with a whole almond hidden inside.
The family member who finds the almond in their bowl receives a prize or an extra gift!

Besides the warmth of this tradition, Danes are also a great example of excellent dental health.
Did you know that Denmark has the best oral health in the world?

This is shown by the DMFT index, which measures the number of decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth.
Denmark’s DMFT score is 0.4, and achieving a result lower than 0.4 is almost impossible.

By comparison, Croatia is one of the European countries with a high DMFT index-around 4-which is about ten times worse than Denmark.

TURKEY DINNER AND MULLED WINE

Foods rich in nutrients, low in sugar, and with minimal pigmentation are excellent for your teeth.

For this reason, turkey is one of the best Christmas foods for your oral health.
Turkey is a lean meat rich in nutrients such as phosphorus and minerals that help build healthy teeth and bones.
As side dishes, we recommend Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes.
Despite their starch content, sweet potatoes contain a significant amount of vitamins, including vitamin A, which helps prevent cavities.

On the other hand, one thing you should avoid to preserve dental health is mulled wine.
Mulled wine can stain teeth, especially if it is too acidic or too sweet.
The acidity causes erosion of tooth enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavities and discoloration.

Additionally, oranges, often added to mulled wine for flavor, contribute to acidity, so avoid them or replace them if you want to maintain a healthy smile.
If you can’t resist this drink, we recommend red wine as a better option because, despite the stereotype, it is healthier for teeth than white wine.

Choose a naturally sweet red wine with as little added sugar as possible, and your teeth will thank you!
Remember, no matter how healthy or unhealthy certain foods or drinks are for your teeth, most consequences can be minimized with proper and regular oral hygiene.
After all, maintaining dental health requires just two minutes of brushing, twice a day!

THE ORIGIN OF A FAMOUS CHRISTMAS SONG

“All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” is a Christmas song that has gained great popularity in recent years.
But did you know that its origins date back to 1944?

The song was written by Donald Yetter Gardner while he was teaching music in New York public schools.
Gardner asked his class what they wanted for Christmas and noticed that almost all the students were missing at least one front tooth and spoke with a lisp.

Inspired, Gardner wrote the song in 30 minutes, and it became a national success that has lasted to this day.
The song, about a child who wants to speak clearly but cannot because of missing front teeth, remains a staple on lists of traditional Christmas songs, especially in America.

This song can also serve as a reminder of the importance of oral hygiene in children and regular dental visits-even when it comes to baby teeth!

CLEANING TEETH WITH PINE NEEDLES

Did you know that pine needles were once used to clean teeth?
Native Americans often used bunches of pine needles to remove debris from their teeth.

Although the experience may seem uncomfortable, the thin pine needles effectively reached between teeth, and an added benefit was the vitamin C they contain.
Chewing pine needles helped reduce unpleasant mouth odors and made breath fresh and pleasant.

Still, do not try this at home.
In modern times, we recommend using an electric toothbrush with soft bristles and an oral irrigator.
Ultimately, cleaning teeth with pine needles can be not only uncomfortable but also dangerous, as several pine species are toxic to humans!

WINTER JOYS OF EATING SNOW

Eating snow is one of children’s favorite Christmas activities—and even some playful adults enjoy it too.
From a health perspective, however, it’s not the best idea.

Snow binds to pollutants and dust particles in the air, which is especially problematic in urban areas.
You might think that snow is healthiest while falling, but in reality, the amount of harmful substances decreases shortly after it falls to the ground—assuming it is not contaminated by other dirt.

Still, chewing ice is an even worse idea.
Chewing ice can cause many oral health problems, including tooth damage that may even result in tooth loss.

So, if you want to keep your smile healthy, we strongly recommend avoiding eating snow and chewing ice.
There’s also a high chance it will be an unpleasant experience, as sudden temperature changes can cause tooth sensitivity to cold.

In conclusion, we hope you’ve learned some useful facts and discovered interesting tidbits to share at Christmas gatherings.
With a bit of caution, we believe you can avoid dental mishaps and enjoy a carefree Christmas with your loved ones.

If you wish to treat yourself to restored functionality or improved smile aesthetics, your dentist Ivan Antolković is at your service, and you can contact Dental Center 4Smile even during the holidays.

Merry Christmas filled with love, peace, and joyful smiles wishes you your Dental Center 4Smile!