In the Middle Ages, the people who provided general dentistry were farmers, blacksmiths, barbers and other professionals, but the dentist did not yet exist. Signs of dentistry existed even before that, as long ago as 7000 BC.
Extractions were a significant part of early dental treatment. Tooth extractions were performed with a variety of tools over the years, including forceps, and without any form of anesthetic. It wasn’t until the 20th century that anesthetics were used regularly in dentistry.
Perhaps one of the most important evolutions in dentistry is preventative care. In the early days of dentistry, people only went to dentists when they had tooth pain or other oral problems. Today, you can practice prevention to avoid dental problems. Good dental hygiene includes:
- Visiting the dentist for a cleaning every six months
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing once a day
A lot of early dentists performed tooth extractions for a wide range of dental complaints. Now, you can maintain healthy, beautiful teeth and avoid tooth loss by visiting the dentist and adopting good oral hygiene habits.
To schedule a teeth cleaning with our experienced dentists serving Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and the surrounding areas of Virginia, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics.