Dental 504

The History of Dentistry

By semhaltesfai
  • 3100 BCE

    Egyptians

    Egyptians
    •The Egyptians used various types of medical tools including bone saw, knives, scalpels, and suction cups.
    • Hesi-Re, the first dentist in Ancient Egypt, (and the world), was known for being the first person to recognize gum disease.
    • If a patient needed a gold or silver wire for their teeth, but a few were missing, donated teeth would be given to them and used.
    • To relieve pain from a victim of tooth ache, rat mash was placed on the troubled area.
  • 650 BCE

    Greeks

    Greeks
    • Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote about dentistry including decaying teeth, gum disease, and extracting teeth.
    • When cavities were found in someone’s mouth, it was left in and the pain was dealt with because they wanted as many teeth as possible.
    • Toothpaste in Ancient Greek time’s container ingredients such as bone, egg shells, pumice (volcanic rock), and myrrh (thorny tree).
    • It was also believed that dogs teeth boiled in wine made an effective mouth rinse to prevent tooth decay.
  • 30 BCE

    Romans

    Romans
    • Physicians were the ones authorized to extract teeth.
    • If you had a tooth ache, it was recommended to find a frog by moonlight and ask it to take away your pain.
    • Dentures were made from ivory, bone, or oxwood which meant getting a good fit was difficult.
    • Romans were actually known to have very good teeth due to their low sugar diet. Scientists believe there was no need for dentists in Ancient Rome.
  • 1500

    Renaissance (16th Century)

    Renaissance (16th Century)
    • Only the rich could afford to visit a dentist.
    The rich were often called sweet breathers because their breath was better smelling.
    • Harmful instruments were used on patients such as the pelican, and this sometimes led to death.
    • People with black teeth were considered beautiful or attractive in the Renaissance period. This caused many people to get their teeth blackened.
    • To freshen the smell of breath, vinegar and mint were used.

  • 17th Century

    17th Century
    • Rosemary Charcoal was used to maintain cleanliness of breath.
    • Blacksmiths, wigmakers, and barbers would extract teeth. (dental forceps were used)
    • To remove dental stains brick, stone, and coral were rubbed against teeth.
    • Sugary/acidic formulas were used to clean teeth but just caused dental decay.

  • 18th Century

    18th Century
    • A Frenchman named Claude Mouton started the trend of repairing damaged or decayed teeth with gold cap crowns, or sheathing them in white enamel.
    • Thomas Berdmore (dentist of King George III), discovered sugar is in fact bad for your teeth.
    •Thomas also theorized smoking was harmful to your teeth as well.

  • New Ideas

    New Ideas
    1. Digital X-ray: This new x-ray is faster, and has less radiation than the traditional x-ray.
    2. Laser Dentistry: Laser dentistry improves efficiency, and eliminates discomfort for procedures. It can fill cavities, whiten, and kill bacteria.
    3. IV Sedation: Sedation calms the patient while still interacting with the dentist.
    4. Velscope: The velscope is a special light that detects abnormalities.
    5. Heal Ozone: Heal ozone is used to kill bacteria and prevent tooth decay.