Dental Health in Ancient Civilizations

Dental health has been a concern for humanity throughout history, and ancient civilizations developed various practices and beliefs to maintain oral hygiene. Some of the world’s greatest cultures left us clues about how they took care of their teeth. Here are a few of the dental practices of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Mayans. These insights show us their understanding of dental health and their innovative methods of caring for their teeth. 

The Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians placed great importance on dental health. They believed that dental problems were caused by supernatural beings and magical curses. To maintain oral hygiene, Egyptians used chew sticks made from frayed twigs or fibers to clean their teeth. Additionally, they used a mixture of crushed pumice stone and wine vinegar as a toothpaste. Archaeological evidence shows that the Egyptians also performed dental treatments like fillings and extractions.

The Greeks:

The ancient Greeks valued dental hygiene for both aesthetic and health reasons. They believed that a beautiful smile was a sign of good character. Greek physicians, such as Hippocrates and Aristotle, wrote about dental diseases and treatments. To clean their teeth, Greeks used a mixture of charcoal and honey, and they also employed toothpicks made from quills. Greek dentists specialized in tooth extraction and used forceps and dental drills for dental procedures.

The Romans:

The Romans inherited many dental practices from the Greeks and improved upon them. They believed that bad breath was a sign of moral decay and considered dental health essential for maintaining a respectable appearance. Romans used a variety of materials, including crushed bones and oyster shells, to create toothpaste. They also developed tooth powders with ingredients like charcoal, myrrh, and bark. Dental treatments in Rome included fillings made from lead and gold, as well as tooth extraction.

The Mayans:

The Mayans, an ancient Mesoamerican civilization, had a unique approach to dental health. They believed that certain oral diseases were caused by evil spirits or imbalances in the body. Mayans used various natural substances for toothpaste, such as a mixture of charcoal, herbs, and water. They also practiced dental modification, including filing their teeth into different shapes and embedding gemstones into the teeth as a form of decoration.

Ancient civilizations throughout the world realized early on the importance of oral hygiene and developed practices and techniques to maintain a healthy life. They left behind a rich legacy of dental practices that have influenced modern dentistry in numerous ways. Today, as we benefit from advanced dental care, we can appreciate the wisdom and ingenuity of our ancestors in their pursuit of good dental health.

Thankfully we have significantly more advanced technology used today and Portugal dentists are known as some of the best in the world. If you need dental work done and at highly affordable rates, feel free to get in touch with us. We can help.