CCSS

R.1, R.3, R.4, R.6, R.7, R.9, W.3, SL.1, L.4, L.6

The totally gross, totally fascinating

History of Teeth

Allan Davey (Jeweled Teeth); The Print Collector/Hulton Fine Art Collection/Getty Images (George Washington); Ira Block/National Geographic Image Collection (Mummy); Carver Mostardi/Alamy Stock Photo (Ancient Grill); Sebastian Kaulitzki/Alamy Stock Photo (Tooth); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Royal Ontario Museum

    How did the mummy die?

    That is what scientists wanted to know. They were studying a mummy they called Djed [jed]. They knew she was a woman. They knew she had lived more than 3,000 years ago in Egypt. And they knew that somehow—when she was about 30—Djed died. 

    Had she been bitten by a cobra? Attacked by a crocodile?

    After studying Djed, the scientists discovered the surprising answer. She died because of a bad tooth.

    The experts took X-rays of Djed’s 3,000-year-old jaw. They saw that one of her teeth had never grown in. 

    Over time, the hole in her gum got infected. It filled with stinky, yellow pus.

    Today, this infection could easily be cured. We have medicines called antibiotics.

    But those did not exist in Djed’s time. Scientists believe Djed’s infection spread into her blood—and killed her.

    How did the mummy die?

    Scientists wanted to know the answer. They studied the mummy. They called her Djed [jed]. She was a woman. She had lived more than 3,000 years ago. She had lived in Egypt. She had died when she was about 30. 

    But how? Did a snake bite her? Was she attacked by a crocodile?

    Soon, the scientists made a surprising discovery. She had died because of a bad tooth.

    The experts looked at Djed’s jaw. They took X-rays of it. They saw that one tooth had never grown in. 

    The hole in her gum became infected. It filled with stinky, yellow pus.

    Today, we have antibiotics. These medicines treat infections. An antibiotic could have cured Djed’s infection.

    But there were no antibiotics in Djed’s time. Scientists believe the infection spread into her blood. It killed her.

    How did the mummy die?

    That was the question scientists were trying to answer. They were studying a mummy they called Djed [jed]. They knew Djed was a woman who had lived more than 3,000 years ago in Egypt. They also knew that when she was about 30, she had somehow died. 

    Had she been bitten by a cobra? Attacked by a crocodile?

    After studying Djed, the scientists discovered the surprising answer—she had died because of a bad tooth.

    The experts had taken X-rays of Djed’s 3,000-year-old jaw and seen that one of her teeth had never grown in. Over time, the hole in her gum became infected and filled with stinky, yellow pus.

    Today, this infection could easily be cured with antibiotics. But in Djed’s time, these medicines did not exist. Scientists believe her infection spread into her blood and killed her.

Terrible Fact of Life

    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.

Barbers as Dentists?

BorisShevchuk/Shutterstock.com

    Some long-ago tooth fixes were not so different from what we do today. People in ancient Rome understood that teeth needed to be replaced when they fell out. So they used bone, wood, or ivory to create fake teeth. In ancient Egypt, people made braces out of cat intestines. 

    But little was known about what caused tooth problems. Many people believed they were the work of evil spirits.

    By the 1700s, some people were using science to tackle tooth problems. Dentists were better trained. They used proper tools to fix and remove teeth. 

    Yet only the rich went to dentists. Most people counted on barbers to care for their teeth. That’s right. The same person who cut your hair also pulled out your teeth—with pliers. 

The worst part? There weren’t many ways to help the pain. Ouch!

    People in ancient Rome knew that teeth that fell out needed to be replaced. So they made fake teeth from bone, wood, or ivory. In ancient Egypt, people made braces out of cat intestines. 

    However, they did not know what caused tooth problems. Many people believed that evil spirits caused them.

    By the 1700s, more was known about the science of teeth. Dentists used better tools to fix and remove teeth. 

    But only the rich went to dentists. Most people went to barbers for tooth care. Yes, the person who cut your hair also pulled out your teeth. And they used pliers! Ouch!

    The tooth fixes people came up with long ago were not so different from what dentists do today. People in ancient Rome understood that teeth need to be replaced when they fall out. To create false teeth, they used bone, wood, or ivory. In ancient Egypt, people used cat intestines to make braces for straightening teeth.

    However, little was known about the causes of tooth problems. Many people believed that evil spirits created them.

    By the 1700s, more was understood about the science of teeth. Dentists received better training, and they used proper tools to fix and remove teeth. 

    Yet only the rich went to dentists. Most people relied on barbers to take care of their tooth problems. Yep! The same person who cut your hair also yanked out your bad teeth—with pliers. 

The worst part?  There weren’t many ways to manage the pain. Ouch!

Obsessed With Teeth

    In the 1800s, people understood more about taking care of teeth. Dental schools opened across Europe and the U.S. New laws stated that dentists had to have a license. This put the barbers out of business. And in the years to come, Americans became obsessed with taking care of their teeth.

    Today, around 300,000 dentists and dental experts work in the U.S. The most common tooth problems they see are cavities. These form when bacteria make acids in your mouth. These acids eat away at our teeth and create little holes. 

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

    Many people still can’t pay for dental care. Some dentists volunteer to help them for free.

    Sadly, none of this was around to help Djed. But if scientists ever study our bodies in the future, you can probably be sure of one thing. 

    They’re not likely to find that any of us died because of a bad tooth.

    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.

Infographic

Teeth Through Time

Humans have been trying to fix their smiles for thousands of years.

Shutterstock.com

razyph/123RF.com (Braces); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (Pig, Tooth); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

1- Sugar Troubles
Humans first started to have tooth problems about 10,000 years ago. That’s when people began farming wheat, corn, and other grains. When we eat these grains, our bodies turn them into sugar. This sugar causes cavities.

2- Earwax Fillings
In ancient times, people filled cavities with interesting materials. They used silver, earwax, and even mashed-up bird brains!

3- Pig Brush
The bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498. The bristles were made of hair from a hog. Today’s bristles are made of nylon.

4- Ladybug Mush
Some ancient people used salt to make tooth pain go away. In Italy in the 1700s, people used crushed ladybugs.

5- Tooth Robbers
In the 1800s, criminals stole the teeth of soldiers who died in battle. They sold these teeth to dentists. The dentists used them to fix the smiles of rich people.

6- Magical Water?
A mineral called fluoride is added to tap water in parts of the U.S. Why? Fluoride—also found in many toothpastes— protects teeth from cavities. People whose homes have water with fluoride tend to have healthier teeth.

7- Braces Nation
Today, 4 million Americans have braces. Clear braces are made from a material that was first created by the space agency NASA!

1- Sugar Troubles
Humans first started to have tooth problems about 10,000 years ago. That’s when people began farming wheat, corn, and other grains. When we eat grains, our bodies turn them into sugar. This sugar causes cavities.

2- Earwax Fillings
In ancient times, people filled cavities with interesting materials. They filled them with silver and earwax. They even used mashed-up bird brains!

3- Pig Brush
The bristle toothbrush was invented in 1498. It was invented in China. The bristles were made of hair from a hog. Today’s bristles are made of nylon.

4- Ladybug Mush
Some ancient people used salt to make tooth pain go away. In Italy in the 1700s, people used crushed ladybugs.

5- Tooth Robbers
In the 1800s, criminals stole the teeth of soldiers who died in battle. They sold these teeth to dentists. The dentists used them to fix the smiles of rich people.

6- Magical Water?
Many places in the U.S. add fluoride—a type of mineral—to tap water. Why? Fluoride helps stop cavities. People who drink water with fluoride tend to have healthier teeth. Fluoride is also in many toothpastes.

7- Braces Nation
Today, 4 million Americans have braces. Some braces are clear. This clear material was first made by the space agency NASA!

1- Sugar Troubles
About 10,000 years ago, people began farming wheat, corn, and other grains, which—strange as it might sound—led to tooth problems. When we eat grains, our bodies turn them into sugar. This sugar causes cavities.

2- Earwax Fillings
In ancient times, people used interesting materials to fill cavities. These included silver, earwax, and even mashed-up bird brains!

3- Pig Brush
The bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498. The bristles were made of hair from a hog. Bristles today are made of nylon.

4- Ladybug Mush
To make tooth pain go away, some ancient people used salt. In Italy in the 1700s, people used crushed ladybugs.

5- Tooth Robbers
In the 1800s, criminals stole the teeth of soldiers who died in battle. They sold these teeth to dentists, who used them to fix the smiles of rich people.

6- Magical Water?
A mineral called fluoride is added to tap water in parts of the U.S. Why? Fluoride—also found in many toothpastes— protects teeth from cavities. People whose homes have water with fluoride tend to have healthier teeth.

7- Braces Nation
Today, 4 million Americans have braces. Clear braces are made from a material that was first created by the space agency NASA!

Skills Sheets (5)
Skills Sheets (5)
Skills Sheets (5)
Skills Sheets (5)
Skills Sheets (5)
Leveled Articles (2)
Leveled Articles (2)
Text-to-Speech