History shows many quirky ideas around dental care. Historian, anthropologists and archeologists have found a number of references and evidences of ancient dentistry. For instance evidence from as early as 700BC shows false teeth made from carved animal bones and ivory. Let us have a look at some more examples found in history.
Dental floss and toothpicks
Dental floss and toothpicks was used by ancient man. Anthropological evidence has shown that when food got wedged between their teeth, our ancestors was as concerned and discomforted by it than we are today. The grooves in their teeth shows the use of ancient tools to relieve this condition.
Modern dental floss is manufactured from nylon string coated with wax and can even be flavored for a more pleasant experience. In older times a thread made of silk was used to clean between the teeth and to dislodge food particles that got stuck during eating.
Toothpaste
Scholars think that toothpaste was used as early as 500 BC in China.
The toothpaste that can be traced back to the 1800s in the modern western world, has been shown to have soap as a main ingredient. This caused people to gag when cleaning their teeth and was thus a practice best avoided unless you had a good reason to do so or someone to impress. This was best leaved for special occasions.
Tooth ache
An Egyptian remedy for toothache, dated from 1550 BC, includes ingredients such as dough, honey, incense, fennel seeds and onions. There are a few unpleasant superstitious remedies employed by the Egyptians as well. Without going into too much detail, it involves half the warm body of a recently deceased mouse and pressure applied to the aching tooth.
Ancestors to modern dental care solutions
Hippocrates believed that the food particles that lodged itself between the teeth was the culprit for causing tooth decay. He suggested that teeth that were loose or decayed should be pulled.
Metal fillings (amalgam fillings) was first developed by the Chinese. It is mentioned first in 659 AD in medical texts. By the 12th century they also developed both full dentures and invented the model used for contemporary toothbrushes used during the 15th century.
The Spanish-Arab surgeon, Abu al-Qasim, also known as Abulcasis, lived between 936 AD and 1013 AD. He influenced Islamic and European medical practices with his writings on dental irregularities. He said to use gold wire to make teeth more stable and to make artificial teeth from ox-bone. He was also amongst the first to document the shape and size of dental tools and to make drawings of dental saws, extraction forceps and files.
History often shows solutions to problems that we as a modern people have forgotten. Many a product development has been sponsored by going back and improving on ideas that has been around for thousands and hundreds of years What makes it more interesting is that in some cases there are very little by the way of change from these old practices. I guess some things will just never change! Read about how to cure bad breath from professionals.
Dental floss and toothpicks
Dental floss and toothpicks was used by ancient man. Anthropological evidence has shown that when food got wedged between their teeth, our ancestors was as concerned and discomforted by it than we are today. The grooves in their teeth shows the use of ancient tools to relieve this condition.
Modern dental floss is manufactured from nylon string coated with wax and can even be flavored for a more pleasant experience. In older times a thread made of silk was used to clean between the teeth and to dislodge food particles that got stuck during eating.
Toothpaste
Scholars think that toothpaste was used as early as 500 BC in China.
The toothpaste that can be traced back to the 1800s in the modern western world, has been shown to have soap as a main ingredient. This caused people to gag when cleaning their teeth and was thus a practice best avoided unless you had a good reason to do so or someone to impress. This was best leaved for special occasions.
Tooth ache
An Egyptian remedy for toothache, dated from 1550 BC, includes ingredients such as dough, honey, incense, fennel seeds and onions. There are a few unpleasant superstitious remedies employed by the Egyptians as well. Without going into too much detail, it involves half the warm body of a recently deceased mouse and pressure applied to the aching tooth.
Ancestors to modern dental care solutions
Hippocrates believed that the food particles that lodged itself between the teeth was the culprit for causing tooth decay. He suggested that teeth that were loose or decayed should be pulled.
Metal fillings (amalgam fillings) was first developed by the Chinese. It is mentioned first in 659 AD in medical texts. By the 12th century they also developed both full dentures and invented the model used for contemporary toothbrushes used during the 15th century.
The Spanish-Arab surgeon, Abu al-Qasim, also known as Abulcasis, lived between 936 AD and 1013 AD. He influenced Islamic and European medical practices with his writings on dental irregularities. He said to use gold wire to make teeth more stable and to make artificial teeth from ox-bone. He was also amongst the first to document the shape and size of dental tools and to make drawings of dental saws, extraction forceps and files.
History often shows solutions to problems that we as a modern people have forgotten. Many a product development has been sponsored by going back and improving on ideas that has been around for thousands and hundreds of years What makes it more interesting is that in some cases there are very little by the way of change from these old practices. I guess some things will just never change! Read about how to cure bad breath from professionals.
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