DARK HISTORY OF DENTISTRY

Although ancient civilisations didn’t feast on as many plaque-inducing foodstuffs as we do in modern times, people still suffered tooth problems. This meant that the occupation of dentistry came into existence thousands of years ago, although at its outset was mostly useless.

Roman scholar Pliny suggested a cure for toothache could be found by imploring a frog to cure you by moonlight. Scribonius Largus offered a more reasonable suggestion, including washing the mouth with hot water, but the effectiveness of this was likewise limited. If a tooth needed to be removed, ancient dentists wrestled them free with forceps made from bone or boxwood.

Barber surgeons were a one-size-fitsall medical practitioner and groomer – they regularly pulled teeth in the UK until the mid-18th century