Dental History from the Past to the Present

Tooth decay results from the presence of “tooth worms.” As a result of the modern medical industry, we now know there are no tooth worms. The evolution of dentistry over time shows how it has become a comfortable and safe science.

From the very beginning,

The ancient Egyptians had dentists who dealt with teeth. According to recent research, the Chinese are thought to have used acupuncture to treat pain associated with tooth decay as early as 2700 BCE.

Aristotle and Hippocrates described using red-hot wires and sterilization procedures to treat teeth and oral diseases in 500 BCE. Additionally, these wires were used to bind loose teeth and stabilize jaw fractures.

The 1600s and 1700s: Visionary Thoughts

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the 1600s and 1700s were a time of great innovation in the dental world. The Operator of Teeth was the first English dental textbook, published in 1695 by Charles Allen. Among the recommendations he gives in the book are making homemade toothpaste from powdered coal, rose water, and dragon blood. In fact, Allen even mentions wisdom teeth in his book and suggests using dog teeth as organ transplants.

When Pierre Fauchard published The Surgeon Dentist in the 18th century, he was far ahead of his time in medical practice. For the first time, he described dentistry as a profession of the modern age. The book covers several important topics, such as sugar as the cause of dental caries (cavities), braces being used to correct teeth alignment, and the dentist’s chair light. 

Progressivism during the 1800s.

A great deal was discovered and invented during the 1800s. Auguste Taveau created a dental filling made from silver coins and mercury in 1816. Thomas Morton first used ether anesthesia for surgery in 1840, after Horace Wells demonstrated the use of nitrous oxide to sedate patients.

During the same year, Horace Hayden and Chapin Harris created the first dental school, invented the modern doctorate in dental surgery, and established the first dental society to boost modern dentistry. A mechanized dental drill, porcelain inlays, toothpaste tubes, and porcelain inlays were all invented by the end of the 1800s. 

The 1900s were a time of scientific advancement.

As a result of scientific advances in the 1900s, the dental industry saw some fantastic developments. With the invention of electricity, electric drills became available. Novocain was introduced by US dentists in 1907, together with precision case fillings made by a lost wax casting machine.

The method of tooth bonding was described in 1955 by Michael Buonocore for repairing cracked enamel. As a result, the first fully-reclining dental chair was introduced to ease patients’ and dentists’ discomfort. The first at-home systems for bleaching teeth also appeared in the 1990s, as did “invisible” braces. 

 Where Does Dentistry Go From Here?

Nowadays, dental professionals are examining the connection between oral and overall health. It is becoming increasingly popular to use gene-mediated therapeutics to alter the genetic structure of teeth to increase their resistance to decay. There is hope that teeth can be built back up again around weakened enamel. We can’t predict what the future of dentistry will bring, but we are committed to acquiring the most influential modern technology when it becomes available. 

 Experience the benefits of modern dentistry by scheduling an appointment with our office.

Probiotics are typically advertised as being helpful for digestion. However, studies have shown that they can also improve oral health, along with providing benefits to various other parts of your body. Probiotics are beneficial for fighting infections that lead to oral disease. They have the following effects on gum tissue and oral health:

Reducing Gingivitis

A study published in Contemporary Clinical Dentistry has found that probiotics can reduce bleeding gums and inflammation in patients with moderate to severe gingivitis. In the trial, children were given either a placebo or two different combinations of probiotics. At the three-week mark, it was discovered that children who took probiotics had significant improvements in their gingival health. 

Combating Periodontitis

Periodontitis is another oral disease that probiotics have been shown to fight. Periodontitis is caused by harmful bacteria that separate teeth from the gums by destroying tissue fibers, creating pockets that can become infected. Probiotics can fight harmful bacteria and lessen inflammation to help keep the disease in check. 

Fighting Tooth Decay

Another finding from the trial of the Contemporary Clinical Dentistry showed that children who took probiotics also saw a significant decrease in plaque. The reduction of plaque leads to less decay. Probiotics fight the plaque and occupy the spaces on the teeth where bad bacteria thrive.

Minimizing Bad Breath

A less common benefit of probiotics is the effect that they have on bad breath. Bad breath is usually caused by volatile sulfur compound bacteria releasing odor-causing gases. Because probiotics are healthy bacteria, it is believed that they can eliminate the bad bacteria and maintain a healthy bacteria balance in your mouth.

The benefits of probiotics are not just limited to digestive health. Researchers continue to conduct studies to discover new ways that probiotics contribute to a healthy mouth and body. They fight off bad bacteria, reducing the amount of inflammation and plaque in your mouth. They also combat any kind of systemic inflammation. Contact our team for more information on oral health or to schedule a visit today.