History of Teeth/Teeth Through Time

How did the mummy die?

This is what researchers wanted to know. They were studying a mummy they called Djed [jed]. The researchers knew she was a woman. They knew she had lived more than 3,000 years ago in Egypt. Based on the paintings on her coffin, they also knew Djed loved music and was married. And somehow, when she was about 30, Djed died.

Had she been bitten by a cobra? Attacked by a crocodile?

After using modern tools to study Djed, they discovered the surprising answer: She died because of a bad tooth.

The experts took X-rays of Djed’s 3,000-year-old jaw. They saw that one of her teeth had never grown in. Over time, the hole in her gum got infected. Today, this infection could easily be cured with medicines called antibiotics. But those did not exist in Djed’s time. Scientists believe Djed’s infection spread into her blood and killed her.

How did the mummy die?

This is what researchers wanted to know. They were studying a mummy. The researchers knew the mummy was a woman. They called her Djed [jed]. They knew she had lived in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. Djed had paintings on her coffin. These paintings showed that she loved music and was married. Djed died when she was about 30.

Had she been bitten by a cobra? Had she been attacked by a crocodile?

The researchers used modern tools to study Djed. These tools gave them a surprising answer. Djed died because of a bad tooth.

The experts took X-rays of Djed’s 3,000-year-old jaw. They saw that one of her teeth had never grown in. Over time, the hole in her gum got infected. Today, this infection would be easy to cure with medicines called antibiotics. Antibiotics were not around in Djed’s time. Scientists believe Djed’s infection spread into her blood. When it got there, the infection killed her.

Today, we know that proper brushing and flossing can prevent most serious tooth problems. When we have trouble with our teeth, there are trained dentists who can help.

But look back into history, and you’ll find millions of people suffering from horrible tooth pain. Knights would charge into battle with oozy sores on their gums. Princesses would cover their rotting teeth with hankies when they smiled. Many people lost most or all of their teeth by the time they were middle-aged. George Washington had only one natural tooth left by the time he became president!

This is why people were always looking for ways to feel less pain and have better smiles.

We now know that proper brushing and flossing is important. It can prevent most serious tooth problems. Trained dentists can help us when we have trouble with our teeth.

But look back into history. Millions of people suffered from very bad tooth pain. Knights went into battle with oozy sores on their gums. Princesses covered their rotting teeth with hankies when they smiled. Many people lost most or all of their teeth by the time they were middle-aged. George Washington had only one natural tooth left by the time he became president!

This is why people were always looking for ways to feel less pain and have better smiles.

Some long-ago tooth treatments were not so different from what we do today. The Romans, for instance, understood that teeth needed to be replaced when they fell out. So they used bone, wood, or ivory to create fake teeth. Those teeth were similar to the false teeth people wear now. In Egypt, people made braces out of cat intestines.

By the 1700s, some people were using science to tackle tooth problems. Dentists were better trained. They used proper tools to fix and remove teeth.

But only the rich went to dentists. Most people relied on barbers to care for their teeth. That’s right: The same person who cut your hair also yanked your teeth—with pliers.

The worst part?

There weren’t many ways to help the pain caused by tooth problems.

Some tooth treatments from long ago were not so different from what we do today. For example, the Romans knew that teeth needed to be replaced when they fell out. They used bone, wood, or ivory to create fake teeth. Those teeth were similar to the false teeth people wear now. In Egypt, people made braces out of cat intestines.

By the 1700s, some people were using science to deal with tooth problems. Dentists were better trained. They used proper tools to fix and remove teeth.

But only the rich went to dentists. Most people used barbers to care for their teeth. That’s right. The same person who cut your hair also yanked your teeth. And they used pliers!

The worst part?

There weren’t many ways to help the pain caused by tooth problems.

In the 1800s, people understood more about taking care of teeth. Dental schools opened across Europe and the U.S. New laws stated that dentists had to have a license. So barbers could no longer pull teeth. And in the years to come, Americans became obsessed with their teeth.

Today, around 300,000 dentists, hygienists, and orthodontists work in the U.S. The most common tooth problem? Cavities. These form when bacteria make acids that eat away at our teeth and create holes. Dental experts have powerful X-ray machines to spot cavities and other problems. Their tools clean teeth and gums. They give special medicine to stop pain. And they use braces to straighten teeth.

Many dentists volunteer to help people who have trouble paying for dental care. Sadly, none of this was around to help Djed. But if scientists ever study our bodies in the future, they probably won’t find that any
of us died because of a bad tooth. 

In the 1800s, people knew more about taking care of teeth. Dental schools opened in Europe and the U.S. New laws stated that dentists had to have a license. Barbers were no longer allowed to pull teeth. In the years to come, Americans became obsessed with their teeth.

Today, around 300,000 dentists, hygienists, and orthodontists work in the U.S. The most common tooth problem is cavities. Cavities form when bacteria make acids. These acids eat away at our teeth and create holes. Dental experts have powerful X-ray machines to spot cavities and other problems. Their tools clean teeth and gums. They give special medicine to stop pain. They use braces to straighten teeth.

Many dentists volunteer to help people who can’t pay for dental care. It’s sad that none of this was around to help Djed. But future scientists probably won’t find that any of us died because of a bad tooth.