Question: What town in Texas was once hailed as “The Town Without A Toothache”?
Answer: Hereford. In 1939, local dentist Dr. G. W. Heard noted the low incidence of cavities among his patients in a conversation with Dr. Edward Taylor, the director of the Texas Health Department’s dental division. After some research, the phenomenon was attributed to the high levels of fluoride and other minerals in the town’s water and soil. The findings garnered international fame for Hereford, and for many years a sign invited visitors to stop in town for a drink of water. In 1995, the town was the subject of a $300 Jeopardy! question.
While the exceptional dental health of its residents put Hereford on the map, the town is probably better known as the “Beef Capital of the World” for the large number of cattle feedlots in the area.
