Dentistry is one of the oldest medical professions, dating back to 7000 BC. C. with the Indus Valley Civilization. The history of dentistry dates back to 7000 BC.
to the Indus Valley Civilization. Archaeologists have found bow drills that were probably used to repair cavities. This was perhaps one of the first attempts to administer dental procedures. Although the practice may seem modern, dentistry has been around for centuries.
While general and restorative treatments have certainly improved since then, understanding the history of dentistry can help you appreciate modern medical practice and how far it has come. Andrew Mortensen is proud to offer his patients the latest technologies and dental treatments in restorative dentistry at his office in Fountain Valley, California. It dates back to 7000 BC. Long before electricity, running water, anesthesia and x-rays, the first doctors helped people improve their oral health.
Learn how dentistry has evolved over the years and how those early primitive years affected modern dental offices. The notes written by the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle describe tooth development, tooth decay, and gum infection. He also implemented treatment methods, such as forceps to extract teeth and wires to secure loose teeth. The Greek doctor Claudio Galeno discovered that teeth were made of bones that contained nerves, while Diocles de Carystus was the first to recommend advice for oral hygiene.
At the time, the monks were considered to be well-educated and familiar with medical and dental practices. While preventive care was not yet a central topic, there is evidence that cavities and diseases were treated. Monks regularly performed bloodshed, surgery and tooth extractions with the help of barbers, due to their experience in knives and razors. Years later, when the Church prohibited monks from performing these procedures, barbers took over.
Like modern dental tweezers today, barbers used tools known as dental pelicans and braces to extract teeth. In 1685, Charles Allen published the first dental textbook in English, The Operator for the Teeth. It served as a guide on how to help patients beyond tooth extractions. It also included relaxation techniques to use before treatment and homemade tinctures to whiten teeth.
Many of the dental offices that are still being held today date back to the 18th century, when the “father of dentistry”, Pierre Fauchard, introduced dental concepts in his book The Surgeon Dentist, a treatise on teeth. Modern dentistry continues to expand its technologies and tools. Andrew Mortensen keeps up to date with the latest techniques and modern materials to provide his patients with the best possible care. To learn more about the general, restorative and aesthetic dentistry treatments we offer, contact our office today to schedule your consultation.
While flossing was not uncommon among prehistoric people, a Louisiana dentist first actively championed it in 1815.
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