Humans have always tried to care for their teeth throughout history. However, as civilization has evolved, the concept of what’s considered the best dental care has too. Interested to learn more about how far we’ve come from our ancient dental services? Here, we’ll dive into a fascinating overview of the ways dentistry has changed over the centuries.
Early Dental Care
It’s believed that civilizations throughout history have performed some type of dental care or treatments for over 9,000 years. This is based on the analysis of ancient skulls. In addition to treating problematic teeth, it is believed many civilizations also cared for their teeth. According to Healthline, people have been using some form of toothpaste since 500 BCE. It’s believed that twigs and branches were used to fashion homemade toothbrushes, and different liquids were used as primitive mouthwashes and swishing agents.
Dental Care in the 1700s and 1800s
Dentistry became a true profession in the 1700s. Pierre Fauchard, a French surgeon, first introduced the idea of fillings and identified one of the key sources of tooth decay: the acids bacteria leave behind when eating sugar.
The first dental college, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, opened in 1840 followed by the formation of the American Dental Association (ADA) 20 years later. Colgate also began mass-producing toothpaste in 1873!
Dental Care in the 1900s
In the early 1900s, the beginning foundations for American dentistry started to take shape. At this time, the wealthiest Americans were able to seek regular care from a dentist. Toothpaste and toothbrushes also started to become more mainstream. Lastly, the American military started to require soldiers to brush their teeth twice a day and regularly floss them. From there, this routine continued to spread to everyday people, creating dental standards that are still in place today.
Dental Care Today
The technology around dental care has changed a lot. There is a greater focus on dental health, simply because there’s more information out there related to its importance. Dental insurance has also helped make dental care more affordable to the masses.
Today, it’s expected to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, and it’s recommended to visit your dentist at least once every six months to keep your teeth happy and healthy. Today’s dentists can also provide a wider range of services to keep your smile in great shape from cleanings and fillings to X-rays and caps.
Dentistry has certainly come a long way over the centuries, and now you can find the best dental care possible at Lowell Dental Arts. Contact us today for more information about our dental services or to schedule an appointment with us!
