Guess How Many Are in the Jar?

Sorry, no prize here, and in fact, I myself don't know how many are in that jar. The real game here is, can you figure out what that is, that was saved up in a large jar over God knows how long and set in a glass display window for all world the to see?

If not, perhaps this picture will make it a little clearer.


Yes, those are teeth. Human teeth. That is a dentist's window on a busy
street in YinChuan, Ningxia, China.

I can only suppose the purpose of the jar of dead teeth is to attract attention and draw potential patients to the office, but do you see how many black and brown ones there are?

This stretch of the street had several dentists offices, and although most did not have used molar collections on display, they all had dentist chairs right up by the window, so anyone outside could watch the dentist with his current patient. I cannot imagine the confluence of events that would result in my agreeing to have a rotted-tooth-saving dentist work on my mouth in front of an entire Chinese neighborhood.

Just a little reminder that even when you know the language, the customs, and the map, some things in a foreign country will always be just too foreign.


Also, a little reminder to brush and floss!