| Dentistry Then and Now |
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It's amazing to see how far dentistry has come through the centuries! Consider the following:
Around 4000 BC, a Sumerian text described "tooth worms" as the cause of dental decay.
Around 200 AD, the Etruscans developed dental prosthetics including gold crowns and bridgework.
In the Middle Ages, dentistry was practiced by monks until a series of Papal edicts prohibited them from doing so. Barbers, with useful tools such as knives and razors at their disposal, took over.
In 1770, Paul Revere advertised his services as a dentist.
In 1790, John Greenwood adapted his mother's foot treadle spinning wheel to rotate as a drill.
In the 1880s, the development of the collapsible metal tube revolutionized toothpaste manufacturing.
In 1911, the U.S. Army Dental Corps was established.
In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration approved the erbium YAG laser for treating tooth decay.
I don't know about you, but thank goodness barbers aren't still in charge of dentistry! I wonder how this list will look in the next 100 years..... Dental robots? (hopefully not!) |
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| Should You Worry if You Have a Toothache and a Fever?
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Did you wake up with a toothache this morning, and you just feel icky overall? Then did you notice that you have a fever on top of the toothache? This could be your body's way of telling you that there is something wrong.
Commonly, when you have both a toothache and a fever, this is when you have a dental abscess. This is an infection that can be below or beside your tooth, and can be very dangerous to ignore. Abscesses can not only harm your oral health, but if they are left untreated, they can also hurt your overall health. If you think you may have a dental abscess, make sure to call our office today.
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| Dreaming of a White Christmas? |
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Teeth whitening has come along way in the last few decades. What once was unpredictable is now effective & convenient. If you have always wanted whiter teeth, now is a great time. There are options. Whitening toothpastes can be effective at maintaining your current white. If your teeth are darker and need more oomph to get that glow, consider whitening strips or custom trays. Always consider a professional cleaning to jump-start the process. Sensitivity to cold is still the most common complication associated with tooth whitening. If you experience this common but annoying side-effect, try bleaching for a shorter period of time. Or try bleaching every other day. Change the routine to minimize the sensitivity and find your formula.
Merry Christmas! |
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