You may think general dentistry is a modern advancement but think again. While there continue to be amazing advancements in the world of dental care, especially with 3D imaging and Invisalign; general dentistry dates back thousands of years. Read further to see exactly how and when dentistry became prevalent in world history.

They Treated Tooth Decay Before Christianity

If you had a cavity in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, you could get treatment! Going back as far as 7000 BC, there is evidence of holes drilled into teeth to remove tooth decay at this time. The practices during this civilization mark the earliest evidence of dentistry.

Toothbrushes Came Before Dupont

According to Carifree, Dupont released the first modern toothbrush in 1938. However, people found a way to brush their teeth before then. The idea of a toothbrush itself has been around for thousands of years, and the earliest forms date back to Mesopotamia in 3500 BC.

Greek Philosophers Wrote About It

Aristotle and Hippocrates are known for their writings and philosophical thinking. Did you know they even wrote about treating decaying teeth? According to Sutori, Aristotle wrote about this topic in “Historia Animalium” or “History of Animals.”

The Father of Modern Dentistry was Born in France

The French physician Pierre Fauchard was born in 1679. After writing the first complete scientific description of dentistry, he became known as the father of modern dentistry. The name of his great writing is called “The Surgeon Dentist” and it came out in the year 1728.

First Dental College Opens in the 1800s

In 1840, the first college opened to educate professional dentists. The opening of this educational facility marked the start of general dentistry as a profession.

The ADA is Created

The American Dental Association (ADA) exists to power dental professionals and to help members advance patient oral health. This organization was originally formed in the 19th century. During this time, the first university-affiliated dental school opened as well.

As you can see, general dentistry is an ancient profession. People have been brushing their teeth and treating fillings before Biblical times. With all of the modern advances available, people today have no reason not to be mindful of their teeth. So if you want a trustworthy dentist, make sure you call our office for an appointment today.