intro
Fear of the dentistis real.
No one wants to get a painful filling or a tooth extraction.
Yet dentistry has come a long way over the centuries.
The research team was led by Roberto Macchiarelli of the University of Poitiers, France.
Ancient fillings were made from beeswax
Neolithic dentists alsoexperimented with fillings.
Radiocarbon analysis dated the mandible at about 6,500 years.
The treated tooth exhibited a significant amount of damage, likely prompting the filling.
Their methods were quite varied, ranging from mild to bizarre.
A common mouthwash was made from earth worms and vinegar.
He was a physician as well as the “chief toothist” of the Pharaohs.
appears to have been perforated below the root of a molar to drain an abscessed tooth.
The Egyptians also used heavy gold wire to keep loose teeth stable.
Despite these advances in dentistry, the Egyptians still held on to some dubious beliefs.
For example, they believed that the mouse had special properties.
This symbolic ritual would then somehow also kill the tooth worm afflicting the patient.
This would supposedly wash away the pain.
beer and wine, when seeking pain relief."
Those suffering from toothaches would often turn to opium syrup, henbane, cannabis, tobacco, and coca.
Barbers performed tooth extractions
For much of history, dental procedures were far from an exact science.
In those days, physicians typically did not perform surgeries, leaving the practice to barber-surgeons.
As the study of medicine developed, surgery evolved into a separate practice.
Barber surgeons were gradually forbidden to perform surgical procedures, although they still pulled teeth.
By 1745, surgeons were required to attend universities.
Symbols of the barber surgeon can still be found today.
Thered stripe on a barber poletraditionally represents the medical procedures formerly done by barbers.
The white stripe represents the bandages used to stop the flow of blood.
He did, however, wear false teeth.
In 1839, dentures were revolutionized again when vulcanized rubber began to be used to hold false teeth.
Today, false teeth are typically made from plastic or ceramic.
Today, the former school is a dental museum.
Today, dentistry is a professional field with dentists requiring extensive schooling before they can become officially licensed.
There has been no better time in history to go to the dentist!
