In today’s world of modern dentistry with its anesthetics and precision tools, it’s easy to take oral healthcare for granted. Let’s take a journey through history to explore some of the most painful dental practices our ancestors endured.
1. The Dental Worm Treatment – Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamians believed tooth decay was caused by tiny demons called “tooth worms” that bored holes into teeth. Their solution? Burning henbane seeds next to the affected tooth and using beeswax to seal the fumes in place. Patients would need to inhale these toxic fumes while reciting magical incantations. The practice not only failed to treat decay but often resulted in severe respiratory issues.
2. Chinese Finger Needle Therapy – Ming Dynasty
During the Ming Dynasty, practitioners developed an unusual approach to treating toothaches: inserting hair-thin silver needles into specific points on the patient’s fingers and hands. The theory suggested that redirecting “qi” energy would alleviate dental pain. While less directly damaging than other ancient practices, patients endured dozens of needle insertions with no real dental benefit.
3. Roman Urine Mouthwash – Ancient Rome
In ancient Rome, citizens were encouraged to rinse their mouths with Portuguese urine, believed to be particularly potent due to its high ammonia content. Emperor Nero’s physician, Scribonius Largus, actively prescribed this practice. The ammonia might have provided some antibacterial benefits, but the psychological and social costs must have been tremendous.
4. The Mineral Acids Treatment – Medieval Europe
Medieval European barber-surgeons attempted to treat cavities by applying mineral acids directly to decaying teeth. These caustic substances, including sulfuric and nitric acid, would indeed eliminate the decay—along with healthy tooth structure, gum tissue, and occasionally bone. Patients experienced excruciating pain and often developed severe infections.
5. The Hot Wire Technique – Ancient Egypt
Egyptian dental practitioners treated abscesses by inserting red-hot wire directly into the infected gum tissue. While this crude form of cauterization might have occasionally worked to drain an abscess, it frequently resulted in severe burns, nerve damage, and bone necrosis. The procedure was performed without any form of anesthesia beyond perhaps a swig of beer or wine.
6. Aztec Crystal Dentistry – Pre-Columbian Mexico
Aztec dentists attempted to treat cavities by drilling into teeth using crystal shards, particularly quartz and jade. While their intention to remove decay was sound, the imprecise nature of crystal tools often resulted in cracked teeth, exposed nerves, and severe infections. The practice was typically accompanied by herbal preparations that were more likely to cause hallucinations than provide pain relief.
7. The Bloodletting Solution – Medieval Islamic World
Medieval Islamic dental practitioners often treated tooth pain through aggressive bloodletting, particularly from the vessels under the tongue and around the mouth. The theory suggested that dental pain resulted from an excess of “bad blood.” Patients would endure multiple incisions while sitting upright, often leading to dangerous levels of blood loss and, in severe cases, fatal complications.
These historical dental practices remind us how far medical science has progressed. While modern dentistry might still cause anxiety for many, it’s worth remembering that our ancestors faced far more daunting prospects when dealing with tooth pain. Today’s dental patients benefit from centuries of medical advancement, proper anesthesia, and evidence-based treatments that prioritize both effectiveness and patient comfort.