History of Teeth

    In the past, it was not uncommon for teeth to be deadly. Over the years, millions of people have suffered from terrible tooth problems.

    Knights would charge into battle with oozy sores on their gums. Princesses would cover their rotting teeth when they smiled. George Washington had only one tooth left by the time he became president! 

    Today, we know that proper brushing and flossing are important. They can prevent most serious tooth problems. And if they don’t, there are trained dentists who can help.

    But until the 1900s, most people had crooked and yellowed teeth. And they were always looking for ways to feel less pain and have better, brighter smiles.

    In the past, teeth were often deadly. Over time, millions of people have had terrible tooth problems.

    Knights charged into battle with sores on their gums. Princesses covered their rotting teeth when they smiled. George Washington had only one tooth left when he became president! 

    Today, we know that brushing and flossing are important. They prevent most tooth problems. Dentists can treat more serious tooth problems.

    But until the 1900s, most people had crooked and yellowed teeth. And they were always looking for ways to have better smiles.    

    In the past, death from a tooth-related problem was not uncommon. For centuries, millions of people suffered from terrible tooth problems.

    With oozy sores on their gums, knights would charge into battle. When smiling, princesses would cover their rotting teeth. By the time he became president, George Washington had only one tooth left! 

    Today, we know that proper brushing and flossing are important for preventing most serious tooth problems. And trained dentists can help treat the problems that do arise.

    But until the 1900s, most people had crooked and yellowed teeth—and they were always looking for ways to feel less pain and have better, brighter smiles.

    In the 1800s, people knew more about teeth. Dental schools opened. New laws were put into place. The new laws said that you had to have a license to be a dentist. Barbers had to stop pulling teeth. Before long, Americans became obsessed with taking care of their teeth.

    Today, around 300,000 dentists and dental experts work in the U.S. They say cavities are the most common tooth problems. Cavities form when bacteria make acids in your mouth. These acids create little holes in teeth. 

    Dental experts have powerful X-ray machines. The machines can spot cavities and other problems. Dentists use tools to clean teeth and gums. They give patients medicine to stop pain. And they use braces to straighten teeth. 

    Dental care can be expensive. Some people can’t pay for it. Dentists sometimes help people for free.

    Sadly, none of this was around to help Djed. But today, it’s unlikely that anyone will die because of a bad tooth. •

    In the 1800s, people came to understand more about taking care of teeth, and dental schools opened throughout Europe and the United States. New laws required dentists to have a license, which put the barbers out of business. And in the years that followed, Americans became obsessed with taking care of their teeth.

    Today, the U.S. is home to approximately  300,000 dentists and dental experts. Cavities are the most common tooth problem they encounter. These little holes form when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at your teeth. 

    Dental experts use powerful X-ray machines to spot cavities and other problems. They have modern tools to clean teeth and gums. To manage pain, they give patients special medications. And to straighten teeth, they use braces—that are definitely not made from animal parts! 

    Many people still can’t afford dental care, so some dentists volunteer to treat them for free.

    Unfortunately, none of this was available during Djed’s lifetime. But if scientists in the future ever study our bodies, you can probably be certain of one thing . . . 

    They’re unlikely to discover that any of us died because of a bad tooth.