Dentistry – Past, Present, and Future | Dentist in 60015
"Tooth worms" are the cause of tooth decay. That was the headline of a Sumerian text from around 5,000 B.C.E. Fortunately, the dental industry has evolved since then and we know "tooth worms" don't exist. Here's how dentistry has evolved into the comfortable, safe, and beneficial science of today. In the Beginning Did you know that the ancient Egyptians had designated doctors for teeth? Evidence has been uncovered suggesting the Chinese used acupuncture to treat pain associated with tooth decay as early as 2700 B.C.E. Additionally, in 500 B.C.E., Hippocrates and Aristotle wrote of treating teeth and oral diseases by using sterilization procedures and red-hot wires. They also spoke of using these red-hot wires to stabilize jaw fractures and bind loose teeth. The Visionary Thoughts of the 1600s-1700s According to the Academy of General Dentistry, the 1600s and 1700s were a gold mine of innovation in th...