Fun Facts About Dentists

The Dentist

The earliest known dentist was Hesi-Re, an Egyptian “doctor of the tooth,” who lived around 3000 B.C.

From the 5th to the 15th century A.D., dentistry was practiced by “barber-surgeons,” who performed a variety of services, including cutting hair and extracting teeth.

In 1846, Dr. William Morton, a dentist born in Charlton, Massachusetts, demonstrated the first use of ether during a surgical procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital, ending the pain that had been associated with surgery.

Above article from: www.massdental.org

Fun Facts About Toothpase

Did You Know...
Toothpaste

Like toothbrushes, compounds for cleaning teeth and freshening breath have been used since ancient times. Early Egyptians, Chinese, Greek, and Roman writings describe different mixtures for toothpastes and powders. The more tasty ingredients used back then included powdered fruit, honey, and dried flowers. The less appetizing ingredients included mice and lizard livers!

Modern toothpastes began to appear in the 1800s. A dentist named Dr. Peabody was the first person to suggest adding soap to toothpaste.

Fluoride was first added to toothpaste in 1956.

Above article from: www.massdental.org

Fun Facts about the Toothbrush

The Toothbrush

During the Middle Ages, wealthy Europeans used twigs made out of sweet-smelling wood to clean their teeth.

In 1498, the Emperor of China implanted hog bristles in a bone handle. This style of hogtoothbrush became popular throughout Asia and Europe. However, because of the cost of hog bristles, poor people could not afford individual toothbrushes, so a whole family would share the same toothbrush.

Believe it or not, most Americans didn't brush their teeth until soldiers brought the Army's enforced brushing habit back home from World War II.

The first real electric toothbrush was developed in Switzerland in 1939.

Above article from: www.massdental.org