Pharaohs and Dentistry

introduction

The ancient Egyptians were among the first to care about oral and dental health, and the world's oldest toothpaste was discovered there. They also used primitive methods to treat dental ailments, such as bone saws and chisels. 

Papyrus indicates the Egyptians' concern for their teeth

It may be difficult to imagine a pharaoh brushing his teeth every morning before exercising his powers as a ruler who controlled the destinies of his people. However, the early Egyptians were concerned with oral hygiene for nearly seven thousand years, which led them to create a toothpaste for this purpose.

This was confirmed during a visit to the Austrian National Museum, where visitors were shown a recipe written on papyrus for a toothpaste that was first used by the ancient Egyptians, given their great interest in dental and gum health.

According to this recipe translated into German from the Pharaonic version, Egyptian toothpaste consisted of one drachma (a drachma was a precise unit of weight used by the Egyptians at the time and equal to 3.75 grams) of salt, two drachmas of lily, and twenty drachmas of black pepper, and the mixture was used as toothpaste.

Scientists have recently discovered that this recipe offers excellent protection against gum disease. The curator of the Egyptian Museum in San Jose, California, says that the ancient Egyptians took great care of their teeth and would grind the ingredients used in the recipe to a very fine powder and mix them with iris flowers.

Amina adds, "The ancient Egyptians experimented with various treatments for teeth and gums, including a chewing gum similar to modern chewing gum, designed to give the mouth a pleasant smell. They added honey, mint, and anti-disease ingredients to the recipe."

Pharaonic toothpaste recipe

It was in Egypt that scientists in ancient Egypt discovered a formula for toothpaste that used salt, lily, and black pepper, as we presented in the contents of a papyrus preserved in the Spanish National Museum. 

Oldest dentist

The world's first known dentist, Hesy-Ra, was Egyptian, and records have been found documenting the work of nine other dentists in ancient Egypt.

It was only years later that their interest in dentistry became the health aspect, and they began to look after dental diseases, as well as to worry about dental hygiene. This is how the figure of a doctor dedicated exclusively to teeth was born.

At that time in Egypt, we discovered two types of dentists: the iryw-ibew, whose translations resemble the one who deals with teeth or the lowest class of dentists and, on the other hand, the ir-iryw-ibew, which translates as the elite of dentists among those who deal with teeth.

Among the dentists of this period, Hesy-Ra stood out as the first dentist of the pharaohs during the 3rd Dynasty, one of the most fruitful periods of this civilization.

However, Hesy-Ra was not only recognised for his role as dentist to the pharaohs, but he was also noted for his concern for the oral care of the citizens of this period, especially the workers on the pyramids, as their oral diseases could delay the work and the construction.

Treatment of dental diseases:

The Pharaohs used tools such as bone saws and chisels to treat dental conditions, such as tooth decay, receding gums, and bleeding.

Removal of cysts:

Among the contributions of the ancient Egyptians to precise dental surgeries, they removed dental abscesses and damaged gums.

Treatment of tooth loss:

Gold or silver wires were used to connect extracted teeth to healthy teeth.

Oral hygiene:

The ancient Egyptians maintained oral hygiene by using substances such as hot peppers, celery, onions, garlic, and various herbs.

Dental Implants )orthodontics) :

   Periodontal care:

The ancient Egyptians cared about gum health, and used substances such as hot pepper, celery, onions, garlic, and various herbs to strengthen the gums. 

  Treatment of toothache:

The ancient Egyptians used substances such as hot peppers, celery, onions, garlic, and various herbs to relieve toothaches.

Dental diseases and their treatment in ancient Egypt

General wear and tear of teeth was typical of almost all inhabitants of the land of the Pharaohs. There are several causes, but the main one is poor quality food and lack of vitamins and minerals. It is not a disease in itself, but it is the basis for the rapid appearance of other, more serious problems such as abscesses, inflammation of the gums and jaw bones, and tooth loss.

Although refined sugar had not yet been invented at that time, cavities and tooth decay were already present.

Ancient physicians were familiar with almost all modern dental diseases. In their papyrus records, ancient dentists describe a number of conditions they had to deal with—dental abscesses, gum problems, loose teeth, ulcerative stomatitis, periodontitis, tooth decay, and tartar.

The Ebers Papyrus describes 11 methods for treating teeth. Four, for example, relate to the problem of "loose teeth." Such teeth were treated in two ways: either "packed" or "filled" with a mixture similar to what we would today call "composite" - a filling material (made of barley) mixed with honey and some antiseptic. 

This mixture was used to fill or repair dental problems. Moreover, the Pharaohs drank different types of juices, mixtures, and “mouthwash” to maintain oral hygiene, relieve pain, and stop inflammation.

conclusion

Ancient Egyptian dentists were aware that mishandling dental problems could lead to serious problems and even death, and Egyptian dentists developed highly practical medicinal treatments to relieve pain and prevent inflammation.

The interest in teeth and their treatment was due to the fact that they are the source of general health, facial beauty, and strength of personality.