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3 of History’s Strangest Teeth Traditions

Live Life Smiling

historical-teeth-traditions
  • Holmes and Palmer Orthodontics
  • May 13, 2021

 

THROUGHOUT HISTORY, different cultures have come up with some pretty unusual solutions for dental health problems. Let’s take a look at a few of the weirdest ones.

1. Mice for Pain Management?

These days, when we hear the word “painkiller,” we generally think of little pills. Ancient Egyptians were more likely to think of mice. They made a pain-relieving paste, and mice were on the list of ingredients. If someone got a toothache, they would rub this paste over the tender area.

2. Stopping Bruxism With Skulls

What did ancient cultures do about bruxism, or chronic teeth-grinding? The ancient Babylonians believed that demons were to blame for a grinding habit. Their solution was to place a human skull right next to their head while they slept. The skull could supposedly scare away the demon and, by extension, the bruxism.

3. Pitch-Black Smiles

These days, having sparkling white teeth is the beauty standard many of us strive for, but it was the opposite in a lot of Asian cultures in the past. Until the end of the Meiji period, many Japanese women and samurai blackened their teeth in a process called Ohaguro. Black teeth were considered more attractive, and they even believed that the process made teeth more resistant to decay.

(Do not try any of these at home.)

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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EVERY SMILE TELLS A SPECIAL STORY

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our community with excellent care and take pride in our mission of having a patient-centered philosophy. Check out what our patients are saying about us!

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Sara C.
Always a great experience at the Huntington location. My son likes everyone that he encounters there.
Sara C.
Always a great experience at the Huntington location. My son likes everyone that he encounters there.
Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Davon B.
Everyone was really nice. I was able to feel very comfortable for them to do treatment for my daughter. They have the best staff.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Alicen M.
I had my first appointment yesterday and got my spacers and everyone was so super nice and friendly, I absolutely love this place and it's really cool and the best.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Anabel B.
Really great environment, staff is very nice and listens to concerns, very helpful and exciting to see where my braces journey goes with this orthodontist.
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Alicia M.
My daughter has just started her braces adventure here. She is very nervous, but all the staff have been very friendly and helped ease her anxiety. All the doctors are very personable and address my questions and concerns. They all take the time to explain every step to me and my daughter, and they don't rush us through just to get to the next person. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
Rosetta J.
It is so nice at their new location! We were taken back before a game of tic tac toe was even finished. Staff was friendly with a lot of new faces and Dr. Siraella auro was very welcoming.
Sara H.
They are awesome. They explain what they are doing not only to patient but to patient’s parents. 10/10 recommended.
Sara H.
They are awesome. They explain what they are doing not only to patient but to patient’s parents. 10/10 recommended.
Ambria F.
All around most friendliest staff members there is . From the phones calls, going to the console appointment to finance staff and the doctors . And when my daughter got her braces on the ladies that was doing them explain everything and was gentle with her .i Recommend Holmes and Palmer as your orthodontist. If you need braces ..
Ambria F.
All around most friendliest staff members there is . From the phones calls, going to the console appointment to finance staff and the doctors . And when my daughter got her braces on the ladies that was doing them explain everything and was gentle with her .i Recommend Holmes and Palmer as your orthodontist. If you need braces ..
Carrie M.
We have had a great experience at the Teays Valley office. They are quick and efficient and super friendly. My daughter’s teeth are aligning and everything is going as planned. Thank you all so much! They’re great about fitting us in when necessary.
Carrie M.
We have had a great experience at the Teays Valley office. They are quick and efficient and super friendly. My daughter’s teeth are aligning and everything is going as planned. Thank you all so much! They’re great about fitting us in when necessary.
Kristie C.
The staff were always wonderful. They were all very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. Our appointments were usually quick without much wait and scheduling them was very flexible. I have nothing bad to say about them and would recommend them to anyone that needs a good orthodontist.
Kristie C.
The staff were always wonderful. They were all very knowledgeable and explained everything thoroughly. Our appointments were usually quick without much wait and scheduling them was very flexible. I have nothing bad to say about them and would recommend them to anyone that needs a good orthodontist.
Cherlei A.
Staff is very good with kids! Very inviting and friendly atmosphere.Needed a quick change of appointment time and they made it happen!
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