One of the main advantages of living in the modern era is our access to safe, pain-free, effective dentistry. During the Roman Empire, however, dentistry was more advanced than you may be aware.

The Romans adopted many of their dental practices from their predecessors, the Etruscans. The Romans used opium for pain relief during dental treatments. Roman dentists were able to insert gold fillings into decayed teeth and may even have been able to replace missing teeth with primitive forms of dental prosthetics. They removed any gold fillings and teeth from the mouths of corpses before burial, however. In the Etruscan belief system it was considered taboo to allow gold objects to come into close proximity with the dead.

At University Associates in Dentistry, we honor the daring spirit and dedication to healing which those Roman dentists showed. Our own equipment and procedures, however, are fully modern. To find out more about we help present-day Chicagoans care for their teeth, visit our website or call us at (312) 704-5511.

We go through the motions of brushing and flossing without really thinking about our teeth until an imminent dental appointment. Even then, our teeth are the subjects of countless medical studies and news articles; they are sources of confidence, and sometimes, pain. They help us eat tasty food and smile—but even then, we rarely think about our teeth!

Even so, our teeth are pretty interesting, and unique to every person—did you know that no two teeth are alike? In this video, you’ll learn 10 cool facts about teeth—not only ours, but animal teeth, too!

To find out more about how to keep your teeth in top health, call us at (312) 704-5511. At University Associates in Dentistry , we are here to help keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.

Our modern conception of the medieval times evokes images of barbaric medical practices, knights and ladies, unusual fashion, poor hygiene and, by extension, rotting teeth. Surprisingly, medieval folk had pretty healthy teeth, bolstered not only by the era’s aesthetic preference for white teeth and fresh breath, but also by the calcium-rich diet that was prevalent during the medieval period.

Low-Sugar Diets
In the medieval era, people’s diets were relatively bland, with little to no sugar. At this time, sugar was either hard to find or astronomically expensive, so the common person turned to natural sources of sugar such as fruits and honey—and sparingly, even then. As we would discover hundreds of years later, sugar is conducive to tooth decay through the acid byproduct of bacteria as they feed on sugar remnants on the teeth. Only about 20% of teeth in a medieval person’s mouth showed signs of decay, according to archeological evidence. By the early twentieth century, sugar had become a dietary staple—but dentistry had yet to catch up to the times, and a whopping 90% of teeth showed signs of decay in some populations.

Mouth Maintenance
Medieval people ate the way they did because it was all there was to eat. But archeological evidence and historical records show that medieval people were fairly meticulous about their dental health. In what was an early form of tooth-brushing, people rubbed pastes made of salt and herbs on their teeth and gums to freshen breath and remove what would come to be known as plaque. If herbs weren’t available, medieval people rubbed their teeth with linen cloths instead. Even more surprising was that medieval people used acidic, vinegar or wine-based mouthwashes flavored with herbs and spices. And, for a quick fix for bad breath, people chewed strong, pleasant-smelling herbs. These habits helped maintain white, healthy teeth.

Treatments
In those days, anesthesia didn’t exist, and the primary anesthetic, so to speak, was inebriation. As you can imagine, this was not particularly helpful, much less for the barber, who pulled teeth in addition to his other duties. Treatments for mouth cancers were just as, if not more painful: surgeons would cut out diseased tissue and then cauterize the diseased area—again, without anesthesia. When you take into account the dental “treatments” of the medieval era, it’s no wonder people took such good care of their teeth.

Here at University Associates in Dentistry , we’ve come a long way from the medieval times. We’re experienced providers of general and cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and more. If you’re looking for dental care in Chicago, visit our website, or call us at (312) 704-5511 to find out more about what we do.

The Ancient Egyptians didn’t have veneers or invisalign, but they did visit the dentist to ask for a remedy to toothaches. The world’s earliest recorded dentist was Hesyre, who held the titles of chief of dentists and chief of physicians in ancient Egypt. He lived around 2660 BC, and his tomb was found near what is now Cairo. Other medical professionals at the time held similar titles. While it is not clear what the jobs of these esteemed early dentists entailed, it is clear that dental care was considered quite important.

Many of the records from Hesyre’s time cover the topic of preventing tooth loss. The remedy at the time involved packing a paste around the tooth and gums. Many of the ingredients of this paste stand the test of time. Honey is known to have antibacterial qualities, and ochre serves as a mild antiseptic. It seems that Hesyre and his contemporaries regularly treated periodontal disease.

If you need modern help from a dentist in Chicago , call University Associates in Dentistry at (312) 704-5511. We have more than 25 years of experience in implant, reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry.

The teeth in the human mouth are amazing parts of the body that serve a wide range of purposes. As general dentists in Chicago , we you can keep your teeth healthy and beautiful throughout your life. Keep reading to learn more about the teeth:

Babies Can Be Born with Teeth
Although it is rare, it is possible for some babies to be born with teeth. If your baby is the 1 in every 2,000 babies that is born with teeth, you will probably need a pediatric dental exam when he or she is just a few days old. These teeth usually show up on the bottom row and are not usually very strong. Natal teeth are often removed to prevent issues with breastfeeding.

Some People Do Not Lose Baby Teeth
Baby teeth hold the place for adult teeth to grow in. Most people lose all of their baby teeth by the time they are in their early teens. If there is no adult tooth in place to replace the baby tooth, though, a person might not lose the baby teeth. It is important to schedule regular visits with your dentist to learn more about your teeth and how they will grow and change throughout your life.

Some People Have Extra Teeth
It is possible to have more teeth in your mouth than you need. If a person has a condition known as hyperdontia, they will usually have a few extra teeth. Dentists often remove these teeth that emerge from the gums to prevent overcrowding that might negatively affect the rest of the mouth.

Come to University Associates in Dentistry to learn more fun facts about the teeth while you get your next checkup. We are proud to serve the Chicago area to help all of our patients get the care that they need. To learn more about our dental services, visit us online or call (312) 704-5511.

Today’s general dentist uses sophisticated tools and techniques to make your dental visit a positive one. This video demonstrates the vast contrast between what you might experience with your dentist in Chicago and what ancient societies had to cope with regarding their dental care.

Thousands of years ago, civilization had little understanding of what caused tooth pain. For many years, dentists assumed that tooth decay was the result of worms in teeth. However, these individuals demonstrated much ingenuity in terms of how they addressed issues such as missing teeth and malocclusion. Archeologists have found evidence of ancient dentures made from human and animal teeth. They have also seen teeth-straightening procedures that predate Invisalign by several millennia.

University Associates in Dentistry offers exceptional dental care for all your oral health needs. Call (312) 704-5511 to make an appointment.

The field of dentistry is one that has been in existence for thousands of years. While your dentist in Chicago may have at his disposal more information and strategies to prevent and address your dental needs, ancient medicine men likewise used what they knew to help individuals suffering from oral maladies. As these early pioneers of dentistry honed their practices, patients became the beneficiaries of these innovations.

Creating a Dental Profession
The ancient Egyptians are responsible for many cultural, medical, and industrial advancements. Among their many achievements is the establishment of the dental profession. While it would be many more centuries before the medical field cultivated a dental specialty , surviving Egyptian monuments indicate the existence of a person known as Hesy-Re who practiced the dental arts. Thousands of years later, Europe at last saw the first formal establishment of individuals who catered to the dental needs of the public.

Easing Tooth Pain

The toothache is a problem that likely predates written history. Moreover, well before individuals were looked to for their dental expertise, people were trying to find ways to address tooth pain and infections. People who practiced dentistry thousands of years ago did not comprehend how tooth decay developed. However, they did understand that alleviating pressure in infected teeth could lessen discomfort. Historians now know from the analysis of ancient teeth that patients were treated with crude drilling techniques.

Enhancing Patient Appearance

Did you know that cosmetic dentistry has its roots several centuries back? Procedures such as professional teeth whitening and porcelain veneers may be newer dental practices, but for hundreds of years, dentists have been applying cosmetic techniques to help patients achieve a more beautiful smile. For instance, documents have been found from the 1700s that discuss how to use enamel on restorative devices to maintain natural-looking teeth. While materials such as gold, silver, and even wood were often used to address tooth loss, dentists were taking advantage of porcelain to create more realistic teeth for patients as well.

Finding the right dentist doesn’t have to be a difficult process. The capable and courteous team at University Associates in Dentistry can help you achieve the healthy and great-looking smile you want. To make an appointment , call us at (312) 704-5511.