The Evolution of Dentistry

The following blog post has been written by Curatorial Assistant Varsha Jayaraman 

Dentistry is a branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and gums, as well as ailments of the oral cavity and maxillofacial area.  It plays a vital role in health care.

The history of dentistry may be traced back to 7000 BCE in the Indus Valley Civilization (now Pakistan).  Researchers speculate that bead craftsmen used a drill made of flint heads to remove tooth enamel and rotting dental tissue.  Evidence suggests that this procedure was surprisingly effective.

Portable dental treadle drill (1900-1910), Museum of Health Care #010020064

The first professional European “dentists” were known as barber-surgeons.  Guilds of barber-surgeons were prominent in Europe beginning in the thirteenth century.  They were generally responsible for bleeding, cupping, leeching, giving enemas and extracting teeth.  Only in the early eighteenth century did the exclusive profession of dentistry emerge.

Pierre Fauchard of France (1678-1761) is known today as the “Father of Modern Dentistry.”  When he was 15 years old, he began his surgical training in the French navy.  He became particularly interested in diseases of the mouth as he was exposed to various illnesses of sailors while at sea.  Prominent on his voyages was scurvy, the “seaman’s disease”, which occurs due to a deficiency of vitamin C.  Scurvy is characterized by the formation of spots on the skin, spongy gums and bleeding from the mucous membranes.

After leaving the French Navy, Fauchard began working as a professional dentist in France.  His practice flourished and he earned a promising reputation as a dental surgeon, attracting patients from all over the country.  Fauchard composed his own treatise on the foundations of dentistry, Le chirurgien dentiste ou traité des dents (The Surgeon-Dentist, or Treatise on the Teeth), in 1728.  In it, Fauchard described the foundations of oral anatomy and physiology.

Grin and Bear It: Toothache Day and Why It Was Best to Avoid the Dentist in the Ancient World

*The following blog post was written by Curatorial Assistant Varsha Jayaraman

Postcard (1906), Museum of Health Care 996001476

February 9^th marks Toothache Day, a day to celebrate…toothaches?  Much like many strangely-named holidays, the origin and reason for this one is unknown.  Some speculate that perhaps this celebrates the feast day of St. Apollonia, the patroness of dentists.  She was seized during a local uprising against Christians in Alexandria and was severely beaten, losing all of her teeth.  The Roman Church remembers her on February 9^th. She is commonly invoked by some toothache sufferers because of the pain she endured.  Others believe that Toothache Day may be related to the date that the Hershey’s Candy Corporation was founded, the delicious origin of many-a-toothache.  In any case, Toothache Day instils a reminder to all to see the dentist regularly.  And to count your blessings that you aren’t suffering from a toothache in the Ancient or Medieval Worlds!

Collections Corner: May I Pre-chew that for you, Sir?

Masticator, c.1900-1915. Accession #004015002.

Our teeth are an essential part of our daily lives – we use them to do things like eat and form our words. How healthy are your teeth? Today, there are many things we can do to protect our teeth – brush twice a day, floss and visit your friendly neighbourhood dentist every six months. When we are small, losing a tooth is exciting! There is the anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy and then amazement when a brand new tooth pushes up in place of the old one. As we age, the prospect of losing a tooth is no longer so exciting and we have to examine other alternatives to replace lost teeth.

Collections Corner: Waterloo Teeth

Have you ever thought about where dentures come from? Archaeologists have found evidence of denture use dating back to 700 BCE and there have been many manifestations since, but their purpose has never really changed. Dentures were, and still are, used to replace teeth for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Early dentures were carved out of bone or ivory but since these materials are not covered with enamel, they react with the saliva in the mouth and decay, causing an unpleasant taste and odour. Porcelain dentures were introduced during the mid to late 1700s and didn’t rot, but they were unconvincing as natural teeth because of their stark white colour.

Upper denture with a carved ivory base and human teeth, 1850-1870. Accession #010020428.