Dentistry: have you ever wondered how it all began? Its traditions penetrate more deeply than the roots of your teeth. In fact, it may have been practiced as far as 12,000 BC or even earlier. Here is a brief outline of notable events in ancient dentistry:
Archeologists have found a prehistoric infected tooth from old-world Italy that contains evidence of a cleaning with flint tools. This tooth is over 14,000 years old.
In 5000 B.C., not too long after writing was invented, A Sumerian manuscript, the first known text about dentistry, speculates that “tooth worms” may be the cause of dental decay. This is an idea that wasn’t proven wrong until the 1800s!
The first known dental professional was named Hesy-Re, and he passed away around 2600 B.C. We know that this was his career because a part of his Egyptian tomb epitaph calls him “the greatest of those who deal with teeth, and of physicians”.
Other old manuscripts describe new discoveries in treating teeth. The Ebers Papyrus, for example, an ancient Egyptian manuscript from around 1700-1550 BC, describes diseases of the teeth and toothache treatments. In 500-300 BC, famous men of science, Hippocrates
and Aristotle, wrote about such things as the pattern of eruption above the gum line, proper teeth extraction, and the treatment of gum disease, tooth decay, and jaw fractures.
And they didn’t just write about it either. There is evidence that Etruscans of old Italy performed successful teeth replacement treatments – that of gold crowns and fixed bridges – only 100 or so years after the birth of Christ.
Would you like to familiarize yourself with the wonders of modern dentistry? Just call 801-766-3700 to make an appointment with Dr. Ferrell and his fantastic team at Center Creek Dental in Lehi, Utah.