Article: Chew on this: a history of teeth An incisive look at the pearly whites, from fluoride to Freud

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Psychically, metaphorically, evolutionarily, teeth go way down and way back and carry multiple, paradoxical meanings. The tale of teeth is the ultimate oral history. Teeth allow us to eat, and so are emblematic of life. Teeth resemble bone, protruding visibly from an otherwise skin-veiled skull, and so remind us of death. Teeth are ornamental, a significant aspect of appearance and sexual appeal. Nothing can look more menacing or bestial than fully bared teeth. Yet nothing is more inviting, more deeply human, than a bright open smile. Keeping those pearls pretty and in place is a booming multibillion-dollar industry. There are about 3,000 patented toothbrushes on the ...

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