7 Fun Facts About the History of Dentistry That Will Make You Appreciate Your Next Visit

A trip to the dentist today looks nothing like it did thousands — or even a few hundred — years ago.

Modern dentistry is built on precision, comfort, and technology. But it didn’t start that way. In fact, some of the early approaches were… hard to imagine by today’s standards.

Here are seven facts from the history of dentistry that might make your next appointment feel a little easier.

1. Tooth Decay Was Once Blamed on “Tooth Worms”

One of the earliest references to dental problems dates back to around 5000 BC, in a Sumerian text. At the time, people believed that tooth pain was caused by tiny “worms” burrowing into the teeth.

No one had actually seen these worms — but the idea stuck around for centuries. It’s unsettling to picture, but it was one of the first attempts to explain why teeth hurt.

2. Barbers Used to Pull Teeth

During the Middle Ages, if you needed a haircut and a tooth pulled, you went to the same place.

Barber-surgeons handled everything from shaving beards to extracting teeth. It might sound efficient, but dental procedures at the time were often quick, rough, and far from comfortable.

3. Paul Revere Helped Pioneer Dental Forensics

Most people know Paul Revere for his role in American history, but he also worked as a dentist.

He is credited with one of the earliest examples of dental forensics. After the American Revolutionary War, he identified his friend, Dr. Joseph Warren, based on a dental bridge he had previously made.

4. Early Dental Drills Were Powered by Foot

Before electricity, dentists had to get creative.

One of George Washington’s dentists adapted a spinning wheel into what became known as a “dental foot engine.” By pumping it with their foot, they could rotate a drill fast enough to work on teeth.

Effective, maybe — but definitely not effortless.

5. Modern Anesthesia Didn’t Exist Until the 1900s

For most of history, dental procedures were done without proper pain control.

That changed in 1903, when Alfred Einhorn developed procaine — the first widely used local anesthetic, later known as Novocaine.

It’s hard to overstate how much this changed dentistry. Procedures that once required endurance became far more manageable.

6. Dentists Didn’t Always Work with Assistance

The way dentistry is practiced today — with a dentist and assistant working together — wasn’t always the norm.

It wasn’t until the 1960s that “four-handed dentistry” became standard. This approach made procedures more efficient, more precise, and more comfortable for patients.

7. High-Speed Dentistry Changed Everything

In 1957, John Borden introduced the Airotor, a high-speed dental handpiece that could reach speeds of up to 300,000 rotations per minute.

This dramatically reduced the time needed for many procedures and made modern dentistry faster and more controlled than ever before.

A Different Experience Today

Dentistry has come a long way from tooth worms and barber chairs.

Today’s tools, materials, and techniques are designed to make treatment more precise, more predictable, and far more comfortable. What used to be something people feared has become something that can be handled quickly and effectively.

And when you look back at where it all started, it’s easy to see how much has changed.