Throughout the subsequent centuries, many inventions were made that made dentistry safer, more reliable, and less painful. While crowns, fillings, and drilling were invented in the Middle Ages, they were refined over the 18th century with the patenting of porcelain teeth and the dental foot engine, enabling the automation of drilling. Dental forensics was also used for the first time during this time period. Paul Revere, a famous figure of the American Revolution, was also a dentist, and identified a casualty of war by recognizing the bridge he had constructed for him.
Finally, in the 19th century, dentistry begins to shape into what we know it today to be. Tube toothpaste becomes widely available for the first time in the 1880s. Previously, the only toothpaste was available only from dentists, usually produced personally by them. Tube toothpaste, however, could be mass-produced and conveniently shipped nationwide. With the discovery of X-rays in 1895, the first dental X-rays became used to identify internal tooth and bone structure problems.
Now that we know about the history of this distinguished profession, how do we celebrate our dentists on Dentist’s Day? Well, for starters, we can stop villainizing them so much. Dentists may seem scary, but they’re only trying to keep you healthy. If you’ve been avoiding yours, you can schedule a checkup. While you’re at it, why not send them a thank-you card for their hard work? And remember to floss!
Kavya Seth