Medical Dentistry - Past and Present
People have always realised the importance of their teeth. Explore the medical aspects of dental care and see how it has changed over time.
Oral Hygiene
Keeping teeth clean and healthy has been important to people for thousands of years.
The first British toothbrush was made in 1780. Those who could not afford to buy one used rags and twigs instead. To keep teeth clean and healthy in the past people have used:
- Chalk
- Charcoal
- Brick dust
- Gunpowder
- Babies' urine
Now brushing our teeth is part of our daily routine. There are a variety of toothbrushes available in the shops. Due to our increase in medical knowledge dental treatment has progressed. There are additional products such as mouthwashes and flossers used to support tooth brushing.
There are so many dental products available now. It can be hard to choose what to buy.
Pain Relief
Pain relief has revolutionised dentistry.
Before the 1800s, the lower classes, who could not afford dental treatment, would get their teeth removed by a barber or a blacksmith.
Until the development of anaesthetics in the late 1800s, dental treatment was very painful.
Today most people visit the dentist at least once a year to make sure their teeth are clean and healthy. Some people, though, are still afraid to visit the dentist.
