Thank Goodness We Have Progressed... a look at ancient dentistry

1. 60

   bellevuedentistposted 14 years ago

   A typical trip to the dentist in Medieval Europe was much different than what the majority of people encounter today with their dentist. The Middle Ages featured a dentist which was also your warm and friendly barber! Barber-surgeons were the norm for the common toothache during these times. Physicians at this time were no longer interested in practicing any type of dentistry whatsoever and this also continued well in to the 15th century. It was not a very glamorous portion of their job and there were often a number of accidents that occurred. Accidents like fractured jaws, sliced gums, and other problems.
   
   Through the early Dark ages, medical care and surgery were put to use by men who were of the Holy Order. In 1092, there was a Papal Decree that brought about a new code of self care in the monasteries. Consequently, the monasteries hired an individual who would be responsible for performing this decree. This person was referred to as the "barbi-tonsoribus." His obligations didn't stop at beard; he also executed minor surgical procedures at the monastery. These included tooth removal, the cutting of bladder stones, and even enemas among other items. The Edict of Tours of 1163 led to the end of holy men practicing any operation that involved losing blood. The barbers, or any skilled tradesmen such as a pig castrate, were the only people allowed to deal with blood. This was solidified in 1215 when Pope Innocent III declared blood shed "incompatible with the divine mission". Dentistry was now left to the Barber-Surgeons almost exclusively.

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2. 69

   Rod Marsdenposted 14 years ago

   Nowadays false teeth are actually false. After the battle of Waterloo in the 19th Century there were people who collected teeth from the dead in order to sell them to dentists who then made them into dentures for the living. I believe they were glued into slots on a smooth wooden plate. I don't know how I'd feel about walking around with dead man's teeth in my mouth.

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