Have you ever wondered what it was like to go to a dentist in the middle ages? Dental care has come a long way since humans began practicing oral science.
Ancient Times
The earliest known mention of dental science came in 5000 BC, when a Sumerian text explained that dental decay was caused by “tooth worms.” 2,500 years later, an Egyptian scribe passed away and on his tomb was inscribed, “the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians.” This, we assume was the first known dentist. Then, between 500 and 300 BC, Hippocrates and Aristotle both wrote about using forceps to remove teeth, using wires to fix fractured jaws and loose teeth, and treating tooth decay and gum disease.
The 1500s
The Middle Ages saw two important writings on dental care. The first book devoted to dentistry, Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth, was published in Germany in 1530 by Artzney Buchlein. Forty-five years later, France’s Ambrose Pare, known as the Father of Surgery, published Complete Works, which detailed the procedure for tooth extraction and treatment for decay and jaw fractures.
The 1700s
The Father of Modern Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard, published The Surgeon Dentist, A Treatise on Teeth in 1723 and described dental practices like oral anatomy and function, dental construction, and operating techniques. The 18th century also saw the first American dentists start practicing dentistry. Other achievements include the invention of the first dental chair and the first patent for porcelain teeth.
The 1800s
Advancements in dental science and education were abundant in the 19th century. The first dental school was opened in the 1800s, as well as the creation of the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. The American Dental Association and the American Society of Dental Surgeons were also created. The 1800s saw the invention of tubed toothpaste, using ether anesthesia in oral surgery, the commercial manufacturing of porcelain teeth, the reclining dental chair, inserting gold into a cavity, and many more advancements.
The 1900s
The 20th century had even more advancements in dental science such as Novocain, the porcelain crown, nylon toothbrushes, the electric toothbrush, tooth-colored restorative materials for cosmetic dental work, and more. The 1900s also saw the implementation of fluoride being added to public water supplies, the first dental hygienist program, the creation of the American Board of Orthodontics, and the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
Today, we continue to see developments in dental science. Contact our office to learn more about the history of dental care or to schedule your next cleaning and checkup!