Dental benefits

History of oral health: Selfies

Selfies are a great way to capture memories with friends and show off your beaming smile. Take a look at our snapshot of their colorful history.

Origin of the word “selfie”

Oxford Dictionaries declared “selfie” its 2013 word of the year, but the term had already been around for at least a decade. Researchers at Oxford Dictionaries claim the earliest recorded use was in 2002 on an Australian internet forum.

The first selfie taken in space

High above the atmosphere, astronaut Buzz Aldrin snapped a selfie during his 1966 Gemini 12 mission. That’s one out-of-this-world picture!

The first American selfie

While there’s some debate, many, including the Library of Congress, agree that the first selfie was taken in 1839 by an amateur chemist and photographer, Robert Cornelius.

City with the most selfies

According to a report in a 2014 issue of TIME magazine, Makati City in the Philippines takes more selfies than any other city in the world. Say “cheeeese,” Philippines!

To keep your smile selfie-ready, practice good oral hygiene habits like brushing for two minutes twice a day, flossing once a day and eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Don’t forget to schedule regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist. If you have a dental plan, preventive care is usually completely covered.

Now go show the world those pearly whites!