Unveiling Medieval Smiles: What Can We Learn About Dental Care from the Middle Ages?
Did medieval people suffer from rotten teeth? How did dental care differ in the Middle Ages compared to today's modern dental clinics like By The Lake Dental - your favourite dental office in Ajax and Scarborough? In a captivating episode of the HistoryExtra podcast, historian Christopher Dyer explores the fascinating world of medieval dental hygiene and oral health.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
Through the examination of archaeological remains from the churchyard at Wharram Percy in Yorkshire - home to one of the most extensive collections of medieval peasant remains - researchers discovered that about 68% of individuals had cavities. However, this rate of tooth decay was significantly lower than what we see in modern times.
For example, a 19th-century cemetery analysis revealed a staggering 79% of individuals with decayed teeth. This comparison highlights that despite limited access to professional dental care, medieval individuals appeared to have fewer dental issues.
Unlike today's advanced dental care provided by skilled dentists, medieval people had no access to regular check-ups or modern dental technology. Calculus - the hardened plaque removed during routine hygiene visits- was commonly found on their teeth. Yet, their diet, primarily consisting of bread and porridge, with minimal sugar consumption, helped protect them from severe tooth decay.
While brushing teeth as we know it today wasn't common in the Middle Ages, the lack of widespread sugar - a leading cause of cavities - likely contributed to their comparatively healthier teeth. Sugar was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, unlike the accessible, affordable sugars we often see in modern diets.
Christopher Dyer's insights remind us that despite the primitive dental care of the past, medieval dental health had its advantages. Imagine how much better their oral health could have been with access to modern dental offices like By The Lake Dental, where advanced dental care and preventive measures are readily available.
Don't let your smile become a relic of the past! Book your hygiene appointment at By The Lake Dental today and experience modern, efficient, and effective dental care from our dentists and dental team dedicated to keeping your teeth healthy and strong.
Why Choose By The Lake Dental:
✅ +10 years caring for our community’s oral health needs
✅ A Platinum+ Invisalign dental office
✅ Direct billing to benefit provider
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