History of Dental Care

Dentistry is a branch of medicine that ranks among the oldest professions in the world. The Indus Valley Civilization is where dentistry is thought to have its earliest origins, dating back to 7000 BC. However, the first known documented reference to dentistry and tooth rot is from 5000 BC, as indicated in a Sumerian book that was discovered.

Greek History

Aristotle and Hippocrates both wrote about dentistry in ancient Greece, focusing on how to repair decayed teeth. ‘The Little Medicinal Book for All Kinds of Diseases and Infirmities of the Teeth’, the first book exclusively devoted to the subject, wasn't published until 1530.

Dentistry had developed into a more distinct profession by the 1700s. The seminal book, The Surgeon Dentist, a Treatise on Teeth, written by Pierre Fauchard, a French surgeon known as the "Father of Modern Dentistry," was originally published in 1723 and is credited for defining a holistic approach to dental care. Fauchard also recognized that acids from sugar cause tooth decay and pioneered the concepts of dental fillings and dental prosthetics.

The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, which was the first dental college to open, established the necessity for greater regulation in 1840. The American Dental Association (ADA) was established over 20 years after Alabama set a precedent in the United States by passing the first dental practice act in 1841. The Harvard University Dentistry School was established in 1867 and was the first dental school with a university affiliation.

Colgate began mass producing the first toothpaste in 1873 and, a few years later, toothbrushes.

Conclusion

The history of dentistry dates back to medieval times, and early accounts depict extremely basic remedies for oral health. The field has come a long way with the latest technology and treatments allowing an extensive range of cosmetic and general dentistry procedures.

If you are looking for the Wichita best dentist, get in touch with Auburn Family Dental today.