What Was It Like To Visit A Dentist?

Centuries ago, way back around 5000BC, people believed that dental pain was caused by the tooth worm boring itself into the tooth and wriggling around inside. Methods of treatment included trying to burn the 'tooth worm' with a heated instrument, or knocking off the crown and yanking out the nerve beneath it. Some believed this was the worm.

When these delicate methods didn't work, they turned to magic, inhaling fumes from poisonous henbane seeds to try and 'smoke' out the worm, or coating the teeth with honey.

The Ancient Egyptians believed in applying a dead mouse to the offending tooth. Yet, there were other extreme methods like wearing bones picked out from wolf excrement; rinsing teeth with tortoise blood and urine; rubbing gums with ashes from burnt ox heels, goat's feet, rabbit and wolf heads.

For others seeking practical treatments, drilling was an option, albeit a painful one. Skulls discovered in Pakistan show that dentists were drilling into the teeth of live patients as early as 7000-5500BC.

When all else failed, it was time to pull the tooth. In Europe, by the year 1200, extractions were usually performed by a barber, who would advertise his services by hanging the teeth he had removed on his pole.
Because of the lack of reliable anesthetics and the brutal nature of treatment, the people throughout the ages were encouraged to take good care of their teeth. The Ancient Greeks developed a toothpaste which combined pumice, talc, emery, ground alabaster, coral powder and iron rust. Fourth century Egyptians preferred a dental cream of rock salt, mint, grains of pepper and dried iris flowers.

Despite modern fluoride treatments and toothpastes, people today still have trouble with their teeth. But a trip to the dentist is no longer such a horrific experience. There are new techniques like air abrasion where compressed air is used to blast tiny particles of silica at cavities, removing the decay, and the need for drilling. There is also the Laser-Assisted-New-Attachment Procedure for treating gums.

One thing the modern day dentist won't find is the evil tooth worm. The dental devil has been permanently eradicated.