Early Dentists in Easton, PA or OUCH!

 

Early Dentistry in Easton or OUCH!

 

Many years ago, local blacksmiths and barbers doubled up as back-street dentists.

If you could not afford these, and most people could not, you could try one of these ...

1. Toothworms & Honey Bees
According to Loretta Frances Ichord in “Toothworms and Spider Juice: An Illustrated History of Dentistry,” people of ancient times considered the pain of a toothache was caused by a toothworm that had appeared spontaneously or bored its way into the tooth.If the pain was severe, it meant the toothworm was thrashing about. And if the aching stopped, it only meant the worm was resting. Honey, a product of bees, was used to coat an infected tooth in the Middle Ages. People smeared their aching teeth with honey and waited all night with tweezers in hand, ready to pluck out the toothworm.
2. Spider Juice
Spider juice was a toothache remedy “made of spiders, eggshells, and oil boiled together until reduced to one-third of its volume” that the sufferer held in his or her mouth.
3. Donkey’s Milk
In ancient Greece, donkey’s milk was used as a mouthwash to strengthen the gums and teeth.
4. Fingernails
Trim you fingernails on Friday, and that pesky toothache will be gone for a week!
5. Frogs
Besides spitting in a frog’s mouth for toothache relief, these web-footed creatures were applied to a person’s cheek or to the head on the side of the ailing tooth.
6. Funerals
Never eat anything when the funeral bell is tolling, or a toothache will follow. OK< technically this one is a cause of a toothache.
7. Hard-Boiled Eggs
If you placed a hard-boiled egg anywhere in a teething baby’s room, they would have an easier time.
8. Onions
In the Middle Ages a slice of onion was applied to the ear on the side of the aching tooth.
9. Rabbits
A backwoods legend described helping a teething child. Grandpa would go out and shoot a rabbit. He would bring it back, slice the head open, and rub the “brain juice” on the baby’s gums.
10. Vanilla
Pouring pure vanilla extract from the bottle directly on the tooth has been said to relieve the pain of a toothache.

 

 In 1840 the first dental school, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was established; and in 1840 the first national society of dentists, the American Society of Dental Surgeons, was founded in New York City. Whether or not some the following men attended these schools at some point, we do not know.....

 

 

 

 

The Northampton County Journal July 24, 1832

 

 

 

 

The Northampton County Journal April 29, 1834

 

 

 The Easton Sentinel November 1863

 

 

 

 

 The Easton Daily Free Press November 1866

 

 

 

 The Easton Daily Free Press November 1866

 

Dentistry in the 1800s

1816 – The first fillings are developed by Auguste Taveau, and are made of silver coins mixed with mercury.

1839 – Vulcanized rubber is discovered by Charles Goodyear. This leads to denture bases becoming more affordable for the average consumer. Previously, the bases were created out of gold.

1840 – Nitrous oxide is first demonstrated as a means of sedation by Horace Wells. Ether anesthesia for surgery is first demonstrated by Thomas Morton. Chapin Harris and Horace Hayden invent modern dentistry. They found the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and found the American Society of Dental Surgeons, the world’s first dental society which eventually became the American Dental Association.

1866 – Lucy Hobbs graduates from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery and becomes the first female to obtain a DDS degree.

1871 – The first mechanized dental drill is patented by James Beal Morrison; it was an extremely slow moving drill and a filling could take a few hours to complete.

1870s – Baked porcelain inlays also began being used to fill larger cavities.

1890s – The microbial basis of dental cavities are first described by Willoughby Miller. This leads the way for awareness about cavity prevention and allowed oral care companies to begin marketing oral health products for home use.

1895 – The manufacturing process of silver fillings and cavity preparation are standardized by G.V. Black.

1896 – The x-ray, discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen, is adapted for use in dentistry by Edmund Kells. Washington Wentworth Sheffield invents the toothpaste tube.