With the technology that has been developed in the past thirty years, it is hard to believe that certain dental practices of today actually began back in the 1700’s. For example, basic cleaning practices are essentially the same, with a few upgrades to the tools. The man considered to be the father of modern dentistry, Pierre Fauchard, published his book, The Surgeon Dentist, in 1728. It actually was not until this time that the theory of “tooth worms” was disproved. This theory was put forth by the Sumerians back in 5000 B.C., stating that tooth worms were what was causing tooth pain. Unfortunately, what was mistaken as these tooth worms were actually nerves. In removing these “worms”, more damage was caused than fixed.
Dentistry has a long and weird history. Aside from the tooth worms, bow drills used to be a treatment for tooth decay. Toothbrushes were first made in the 600’s in China, but were made out of hog hairs. Luckily, modern toothbrushes are made from nylon. During the Middle Ages, barbers were the go-to dentists, and they would hang teeth as décor in their shops. Modern dentistry really began in the 1800’s, with the opening of the first dental college in Baltimore, Massachusetts.
The first half of the 1900’s brought about Novocain, composite fillings, and high speed drills. Later on, techniques such as dental implants and Invisalign braces made surgeries that used to be painful and time consuming much easier for both the patient and the dentist. Overall, the history of dentistry is full of odd cures, but modern dentistry is necessary to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Schedule an appointment with Chicago Smile Design today!
Courtesy of: Delta Dental
