Ancient Egyptians Were Tatted and Suffered Toothaches, But There Were Remedies

Ancient Egyptians Suffered Toothaches While Building the Pyramids

Ancient people were not that different from you and I, according to mummies exhibited in  the "Ancient Lives: New Discoveries," at the British Museum.  Eight mummies dating between 3,500 BC to 700 AD were examined by CAT scan, infrared technology and carbon dating.  The procedures proved mummies suffered oral disease and had tattoos. One woman was found to have the Archangel Michael tattooed on her inner thigh, while almost all suffered poor dental health; tooth decay, tooth abscesses, and terrible toothaches.

The earliest known dentist was the "Chief of the toothers," an Egyptian named Hesy-Re also spelled Hesy-Ra from the third dynasty. He was not only the chief dentist, but also a physician for Pharaoh Djoser in 27th century B.C.  He died with his tombstone being inscribed with "Doctor of the Tooth."  He tended to the dental health of people working on the pyramids. He was the first known man to recognize gum disease.

Let's take a look at some of the remedies;

1. Egyptians turned to superstition as a prevention.
2. The body of a dead mouse was applied to the aching tooth while still warm.
3. Drilled holes in teeth to drain infection to treat abscesses with out anesthesia.  Pre-cursor to dental fillings and root canals.

Suffering toothaches in ancient Egypt would have been common. +Verde Pointe Dental Associates, +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera DMD would have been treated like Gods.