Fun Facts About Dental History

Did you know a New Jersey dentist named William Lowell was credited with inventing a piece of equipment that changed the way golf was played? That’s right - Dr. Lowell actually whittled the first wooden golf tee using his dentistry tools!

It’s time to test your knowledge of dental history! How many of the facts below do you actually know?

Did you know…
Paul Revere, a symbol of the American Revolution - known for his famed midnight ride, was also a skilled maker of dentures! That’s right, Revere was actually a silversmith by trade and was able to use his craftsman skills to wire dentures made of animal teeth to his patients’ mouths!  

The city of Burbank located in California was actually named after a New England Dentist - David Burbank (1823-1895). After joining others in the great migration west in the 1850’s, he amassed a huge landholding and became one of the largest and most successful sheep raisers in southern California! He was so successful, he soon stopped practicing dentistry to invest in real estate. After selling his property for a hefty profit, it was subdivided into small farms and residential lots and thus in 1887 the town of Burbank was born.

A Connecticut dentist, Dr. Washington Wentworth Sheffield, revolutionized the marketing and retailing of toothpaste by developing the collapsible metal tube. Prior to this, paste was often sold in glass or ceramic pots that the toothbrush would need to dip into. Looking for a more hygienic and convenient way to package his own toothpaste, he discovered artist paint tubes while vacationing in Europe. The Sheffield's Creme Dentrifrice packaging was such a hit that we even use a similar tube today!

Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first American woman to receive a dental degree! After being denied admission to dental school, she opened her own practice in Iowa. Her practice was so profitable in the first three years that she earned herself an excellent reputation and the Ohio College of Dental Surgery admitted her as a student. Recognizing the success of her practice, Taylor was only required to complete one session before graduating with her degree. 

Contrary to popular belief, George Washington’s dentures were NOT made of wood - rather lead and ivory. In fact, Washington actually had several dentures throughout his lifetime, ranging from materials of gold to steel to animal teeth! 

For even more fun facts about dental history, check out this document from MouthHealthy.org!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health, please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Visit our website to schedule an appointment at one of our three locations.

#TBT - The History of Braces

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When braces were first invented, they typically were reserved for those of wealth, or extreme cases of orthodontic deformations. Now, they are a routine dental procedure that both children and adults undergo to improve their oral health.

For this Throw Back Thursday, let’s take a look at a brief timeline of how they came to be what they are today:

• Braces seem to date back to ancient times. Archeologists have found many mummified remains in and around Egypt of people with metal bands and catgut around their teeth, dating back to 300 BC
• True progress wasn’t really seen until the 18th century when the concept of orthodontic braces started to appear in medical journals. Pierre Fauchard (the father of modern dentistry) published a book known as “The Surgeon Dentist” which documented numerous general dentistry topics, with a specific chapter devoted to orthodontics. This chapter explored ways to straighten teeth, including a concept involving the “Bandeau.” This device looked like a horseshoe, and would be inserted into a patient’s mouth to keep the natural arch of the teeth and mouth in place.
• Further along, in 1819 - the wire crib was invented, an early model of the dental brace we know today. In the same century, gum elastics were also used and X-rays were incorporated into orthodontic procedures.
• The first use of the word “braces” wasn’t until the early 1900s around the same time that Edward Angle, the father of American orthodontics, devised a system that classified anomalies of tooth positions and invented appliances and surgical techniques for their treatment. This system is still in effect today!

Braces have come a long way from using catgut to shift teeth into proper alignment. Even with all the advancements in these last 3,000 years - orthodontists predict the popularity of orthodontic treatment will only increase as the cost and length of treatment time decreases!

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run! Call us today!

8 Amazing Dental Facts

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

Even the most conscientious brushers don’t know everything there is to know about keeping their teeth as healthy as possible. Here are 8 dental facts that will surprise even the most thorough oral care experts!

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