Toothache!

Anne here. A week ago I had my first-ever toothache. It’s an abscess under a crown — my only crown— so... complicated stuff is going to be done. But the toothache itself, the pain (until the painkillers kicked in) and the swelling (until the antibiotics kicked in) took me completely by surprise. My jaw swelled up just like the kids who had toothache in the comics I read when I was a kid — remember? — they used to bind them around the jaw with a bandana. Well, that was me. For nearly a week I looked like a chipmunk.

Thanks to modern medicine I didn’t suffer too much, but it got me thinking about teeth and dentistry and what happened in the past. Pretty much all I knew was my grandma’s infallible method, the application of oil of cloves, which does actually help, if you have oil of cloves on hand, which I did.

In the comics and cartoons and stories I read in my youth, the only cure for toothache of this sort was to pull the tooth, and the methods ranged from tying the offending tooth to a door -handle (or car or runaway horse or whatever) and yanking it out with a sudden jerk. That or a gigantic pair of evil-looking pliers. And all without a sedative, let alone a nice numbing injection.

Of course, this wasn’t the reality of dentistry in my childhood — it’s funny, isn’t it, how the drama of those old fashioned approaches persisted in the stories and cartoons long after they’d ceased to occur in everyday life. I suppose attaching a tooth to a runaway horse is always going to be a better story than going to the dentist.

But having started thinking about it, naturally I did a little research, and found some fascinating stories. In some cultures people believed toothache was caused by tooth demons, or tooth worms, or humors (unbalanced body fluids).

I know it’s fairly widely believed among some readers of historicals that in the distant past, most people’s teeth were rotting in their heads by their early twenties — I’ve heard this cited as a reason why people don’t like medievals, for instance, because of the belief that everyone would either have horribly snaggled teeth or rotting stumps. But the evidence doesn’t support that. For a long time the main problem people had with teeth was not decay, but the wearing down of the enamel of the teeth because of the fine gritty material that was found in bread and because of the widespread habit of chewing bones.

And a common method of cleaning the teeth — from the Chinese to the Babylonians and the Romans — was a chew stick, a stick chewed at one end to fray the woody fibres and then used to scrub the teeth clean. This method is still used by many people in some African and Arabic-speaking countries. The ancient Chinese invented toothbrushes with bristles and French dentists were advising the use of toothbrushes in the early 17th and 18th centuries. Even flossing isn't new — it's been around forever.

It wasn’t until sugar began to be imported and was widely available, and flour became highly refined that gum disease started to become more common, and decay was found more often in the roots of the teeth.

We often think of dentistry as a very modern discipline, but it’s been around, albeit in some odd forms, for a long time. They were making false teeth back in ancient Egypt — attaching them to the person’s remaining teeth with gold wire. The ancient Romans quite commonly used gold crowns, and it was a Roman who first invented a drill for the teeth. Mind you, he also recommended the packing of the hole with a mixture of roasted earthworms, a medicinal plant and crushed spiders’ eggs, which strangely never really caught on.

Did you know there is a patron saint of dentistry? It’s St. Apollonia, who as part of the torture she endured for her faith, had her teeth smashed and pulled out in Alexandria in 249 AD.  Her saint’s day is commemorated on February 9th.

In the middle ages, dentistry was the province of barbers, who also did a bit of surgery on the side. There were also “tooth-drawers” who traveled around the country attending the various fairs and performing their gruesome task in public to entertain the crowds.

I quite like the story of Queen Elizabeth the first, who in the winter of 1578 was, according to a contemporary account, "so excruciatingly tormented with that Distemper (toothache) that forced her to pass whole nights without taking any rest". Despite the pain she was suffering, and the lack of sleep, the fear of having her tooth pulled was worse, and she kept putting off the dreaded deed. Finally the Bishop of London, unable to bear the continued suffering of his sovereign, called on a surgeon, and had one of his own (few remaining) teeth pulled out in front of the queen, in some kind of show of solidarity and to encourage her to have it done herself.

I have to report that, disappointingly, none of my friends offered to do this for me. I did suggest it, but they only laughed in what I thought was quite a heartless manner.

In the meantime, think good thoughts for me on Wednesday, when I’ll be at the dentist having complicated things done. (I confess, I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to dentistry and I always come away exhausted, as much from the effort of trying to appear brave as from being injected and drilled and whatever.)

So what about you — have you ever had a bad toothache? Want to share a dental horror story? Ever lost a tooth in an original or amusing manner? Are you the kind who rushes to the dentist at the first hint of a problem, or are you more like QE1 and tend to put it off?

PS, Stay safe, alll you facing tsunamis and hurricanes at the moment. 

Comments

[CateS]

Gum disease has made me a believer in dentists...I now have 2...so I see one or the other every 3 months. Thank goodness I have good teeth, just crappy gums... After I had my wisdom teeth out in my 20's, I did get an infection and had to return to the dental surgeon for meds and drainage.

[Elizabeth Hawksley]

Poor Anne, how horrible for you! Toothache is incredibly painful - that and earache are the worst, I think. You have all my sympathy.

I have learnt through bitter experience NEVER to put off doing something about it - immediately. It's not going to go away.

Medieval peasants had splendid teeth. I was involved in an archaeological dig in the Mediewal village of Wharram Percy in Yorkshire. The skeletons of the ordinary folk in the churchyard had excellent teeth. A little worn, perhaps, but that was all. The gentry, who were buried inside the church as befitted their status, were another matter! There was evidence of abscesses which must have been agony.

Thank heavens for 21st century medical advances!

[Anne Gracie]

Cate, you're very wise. Mine wasn't a "putting off" thing — I had no warning symptoms, I just woke one morning with this giant jaw. I had some perfectly healthy teeth taken out as a kid, too, supposedly to make room for the others.

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for the sympathy, Elizabeth, but I'm fine, truly. The joys of modern meds got me through the worst of it, though for a while I did understand old references about how people almost went mad with toothache. It was bliss when the pain faded to manageable levels.

Fascinating, your medieval dig and the difference between the teeth of the peasantry and the gentry. It's odd, but some people today can't imagine that teeth can be healthy and well-formed without modern dentistry — I've even debated it with some. But all one has to do is to look at people in countries where they're still living a more or less traditional rural lifestyle, and look at the gorgeous smiles.

[Carol Marinelli]

I love the image of cocaine tooth drops :-) I have had bad toothache twice and agree with Elizabeth - that and earache are so miserable.
I had a smile at the "tooth drawers" and removing them in public - it's bad enough sitting in the waiting room and listening to the drill.
Fab post.
Carol x

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks for dropping by, Carol. Yes, having it done in public would be frightful.
I think the sound of the drill is probably the thing I dislike most about going to the dentist. Or is it the feel of the drill vibrating through your bones?

[Shannon McEwan]

Oh Anne!!! When I had my wisdom teeth removed years ago, I got an infection that caused my jaw to balloon like a chipmunk. I had bruises from the swelling for about a week - and it did hurt - so thinking of you, regardless of how OK you say it is.

The 3yo is obsessed with the tooth fairy at the moment. It's her latest favourite role-play. She lies on the couch, pretending to be asleep, and I (the tooth fairy) have to 'flutter' in, remove the pretend tooth from under her pillow, and leave a real coin in it's place!

[Anne Gracie]

Shannon, I love the image of you fluttering in as the tooth fairy -- you and your little girl must have such fun. It's a gorgeous age, isn't it, with such a barely-there line between reality and fantasy.

Thanks for dropping by.

[LouisaCornell]

My commiserations on the toothache, Anne. I've had a couple and they are no fun at all. I have a really great dentist who, believe it or not, is practically painless no matter what he does.

The Bishop was quite a fellow. I don't that I've liked anyone well enough to have a tooth drawn (in public no less) as a show of solidarity.

Many,many years (and jobs) ago I used to do teeth cleanings on dogs and cats. Fortunately they were under anesthesia for the procedure!

And I am with you on the drill. I really hate that sound!

[Jenny Reid]

Oh my, Anne. I really feel for you. Toothache is horrible and as far as I am concerned, the treatment is no better. The drill!! And in my family, to top it off, my husband always tells me about his early dental treatment where the dentist used a foot drill. Brave man - he still goes to the dentist.

[Carol Cork]

I so sympathise with you Anne. I remember being on holiday in North Wales many years ago and suddenly developing raging toothache. I couldn't lie down and so I had to sit propped up on the settee all night trying to dose as best I could. Luckily we found a local dentist who put a temporary dressing in the tooth until I could visit my own dentist after the holiday.

Love the advert for the Cocaine Toothache Drops!

[M.J. Scott]

I feel your pain, Anne as currently wrangling a cranky wisdom tooth until it can be taken out which I do not want to think about (am opting for oral surgeon rather than dentist so can get better drugs to get through the thought of someone yanking a tooth out). Toothache is horrid! Bring back the cocaine tooth drops ; ) Hope yours is all better after the scary dentist visit.

[Anne Gracie]

Louisa, the drawing of cat and dog teeth wouldn't be much fun, even under anesthetic. Luckily all my dogs have had really good teeth — I used to give them raw bones to eat and that kept the decay away and the teeth strong. But my old cat was another matter — I tried to feed her raw chicken wings, as the vet recommended, but she preferred soft cat food and cat crunchies. The vet used to say, "She'll eat the chicken wings if she's hungry enough" but he underestimated the Cunning of the Cat, and her ability to train humans —if I didn't give her what she wanted, the neighbors obliged.

[Anne Gracie]

Jenny , a foot drill? Ack. It's so true that each generation gets better and better treatment as dental science and preventative practices improve. A lot of people in the younger generation often have no cavities at all. I still remember with slight horror the sight of my grandmother's teeth resting at night in a glass by her bed. Shudder. But it was pretty normal in those days for old people to have false teeth.

[Anne Gracie]

Carol, what a way to have a holiday ruined. North Wales is so beautiful, too. I'm glad you found a dentist to help you out so quickly.

M.J. I'm sorry to hear about your wisdom tooth problem. I can't even recall getting any wisdom teeth — might explain something ;)
All the best with the treatment for yours. And thanks for the good wishes about tomorrow.

I keep hearing about the terrible storm that's hit the east coast of the USA. In case anyone's worrying about the wordwenches, a few have received a battering and have lost power, and trees, and will have a lot of damage to contend with, but when last heard of, they were all right. Stay safe everyone.

[Patricia Rice]

So sorry you're suffering, Anne! My dh has always had strong teeth until a few weeks ago, when his only filling (done in the Army decades ago) fell out and his tooth cracked. The fear is far worse than the actuality. You'll be fine.

Sugar and genetics are both to blame for bad teeth. I have both working against me. "G"

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Pat, in general my teeth are fine — and actually I'm fine now, too — heading for the dentist in a few hours and it will all be fixed, I hope.

At the moment I'm thinking much more about those caught up in the destruction of Hurricane Sandy and hoping everyone stays safe.

[theo]

Oh, Anne! I feel your pain. I truly do. When I was young, money was scarce so dentistry was a last and final thing. Usually anything I had done, filled, pulled, what have you, was done with no anesthetic. That cost too much. The first time I had anesthetic was when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. Hated the needle but was shocked to find I had no pain while the dentist was doing his best to rip my teeth out O.o

At least the complaining and jerking about and requests for bigger and better implements made me wonder...

I'm in the middle of a crown now, the second stage is in a couple weeks. I'll be glad when it's done. I'm guessing you will be when yours is done too! :)

[Janice]

I too have had my share, possibly more, of dental issues and I do sympathize. That said, the techniques and materials available now (thank you, space program) are nothing short of miraculous. I have had two implant procedures and not only was there little or no pain during, there was very little soreness afterwards and they healed quickly. So much better than root canals and caps and all that stuff. I could have had full anesthesia but I figured I'd been through worse and it turned out that I didn't really need it anyway. It's time consuming waiting for bone to grow in properly but worth it.

I know two men who have nearly died from ignoring their teeth because of a dental phobia. One lost his marriage because she couldn't stand it anymore and the other has been off work for two years recovering from the massive throat infection that nearly strangled him. It's nothing to mess about with. And it's so unnecessary in these days of truly painless dentistry.

I am sorry it came to this, Anne, but I'm very glad you are getting things taken care of properly.

[Artemisia]

There's only two things I can recommend: (1) Buy vodka, and (2) Take a teddy bear. The vodka keeps you numb and the bear gives you something to do with your hands so you don't hit the dentist.

[Janice]

Excellent advice for many situations ;)

My dentist knows I'm a trekkie, so he gives me Star Trek books instead of lollipops :)

[Anne Gracie]

Thanks, Theo — I see the specialist tomorrow, so that's when the Decisions will be made. Several helpful folk have offered me some horror stories to prepare me. ;) And yes, I'll be so pleased when this is done. Teeth should not be felt!

Janice, I might not enjoy going to the dentist, but if there's a problem, I know putting it off only allows things to worsen. So thanks.

Artemisia, Scotch is my tipple, rather than vodka, and I might have one at the end of the day -- if I'm not already on drugs. Love the idea of the teddy, though. My dear old Teddy hasn't had an outing in years...

[Anne Gracie]

Janice, clearly I'm going to the wrong sort of dentist — s/he doesn't give me lollipops or trekkie books, only bills. Though on wednesday I did get a free sample of toothpaste.

And I say s/he because there are two dentists -- my everyday one is a woman and the specialist is a man.