Did You Know? Caring for Teeth During Different Historical Periods Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt offers some of the earliest written evidence of dental care. Treatments for toothache and oral infections appear in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest known medical texts, dating to around 1550 BCE. Egyptians used tooth-cleaning pastes made from crushed pumice, ash, eggshells and powdered ox hooves. These mixtures were intended to remove debris and stains. Bread, a staple food in ancient Egypt, was often contaminated with sand and grit from stone grinding tools, leading to severe tooth wear, fractures and abscesses. Italy—Etruscans & Romans In ancient Italy, the Etruscans (c. 700–300 BCE) developed gold dental bridges to replace missing teeth, attaching artificial teeth with bands of hammered gold. These devices represent some of the earliest known examples of prosthodontics. The Romans inherited and adapted earlier practices. Among their more infamous habits was the use of urine-based mouth rinses. As urine aged, it produced ammonia, which acted as a cleaning agent. Though unappealing, this practise reflected empirical observation rather than superstition. Mesoamerica—Maya In Mesoamerica, the Maya practised deliberate dental modification. Using stone drills, they created small cavities in the enamel and inserted jade, turquoise or hematite inlays. Skeletal evidence suggests many were done skillfully, with limited infection. These alterations were not therapeutic. They were cosmetic and cultural, likely indicating beauty, status or group affiliation. Teeth functioned not only biologically, but socially. 37 Issue 1 | 2026 |
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