Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org
Dentistry as a practice didn’t come out of thin air. It is a science that evolved over thousands of years. Yes, you heard that right! General dentistry has its roots in the Indus Valley Civilization, as early as 7000 BC. People have always been fascinated by the idea of having a beautiful smile, so dentists did exist in ancient times as well. But the practices associated with them may sound funny or even bizarre today. A dental checkup today is very different from a dental visit during the ancient times. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about dentistry back in the day.
1. Dental drills were powered by foot pedals
In the past, you could only wish that your dentist had strong calves.! These days, dental drills are highly sophisticated but back then, dentists used drills and power tools powered by foot pedals. As per Mintsdental.com, George Washington invented the first prototype of the dental drill by turning his mother’s spinning wheel.
2. Barbers used to pull teeth
Back in the day, barber-surgeons were the people who not only shaved your face but also pulled out your teeth. These people barely used the right tools or the required anesthesia to pull teeth. The result was a rather painful and bloody affair at the surgeon’s place.
3. Beeswax was the first ever cavity filler
Beeswax has been used by humans for a very long time now. And it may have been the first cavity filler. A human canine tooth over 65 centuries old was found in Slovenia containing beeswax, presumably to ease the pain and sensitivity of tooth pain.
4. Tooth decay was blamed on tooth worms
As per historical text from 5000 years ago, the reason for tooth decay was blamed on tooth worms. Although the idea of tooth worms sounds disturbing, there is a lack of clarity on the real understanding of what was tooth worms really were.
5. Tooth extraction was the cure to everything
All through the middle ages, it is was quite difficult to accurately determine the real cause of a tooth pain. Even the most profound dentists struggled to understand the real causes of dental pain. So, as a solution, they chose to extract teeth to cure anything and everything.
Fortunately, we don’t have to deal with any of these methods of treating dental illnesses. In fact, at Signature Smiles, we offer quality dental treatments for all kinds of dental issues. Get in touch with us to know more about our facilities.