HAVE YOU EVER wondered how people in the past dealt with something as common as bad breath? In Medieval England, even without the toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dentists we rely on today, people still cared about having fresh breath, but their understanding of dental health and what caused bad breath was quite different from ours.
Bad Smells and Strange Cures in Medieval Times
In Medieval England, and many other places, there wasn’t a good understanding of what caused issues like cavities or gum disease. People believed that bad smells, including bad breath, could actually carry disease on their own. This led them to focus on masking or neutralizing the smell rather than addressing the underlying causes we understand today.
Their solutions for bad breath were primarily smell-based dental care. They would chew on various spices. For instance, characters in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales were depicted chewing licorice and cardamom to keep their breath fresh. Women were sometimes advised to chew a mixture containing aniseed, fennel, and cumin.
Strange Remedies
Beyond bad breath, dental problems were common, though different from some modern ones. Cavities weren’t widespread until the sugar trade increased in the 1400s. However, tiny stone chips from millstones often ended up in bread, and cracking a tooth on their bread was a significant reason many adults lost teeth. When it came to toothaches, remedies were often dubious.
While the wealthy might afford myrrh and opium, others resorted to strange practices like burning a candle made of mutton fat and sea holly seeds near the mouth, believing it would lure out “worms” hiding inside the teeth. We now know those “worms” were just tooth roots.
Modern Solutions
Fast forward to today, and our approach to bad breath and dental health is grounded in a much deeper understanding of the body and disease. We know that many dental problems, including chronic bad breath, are often caused by bacteria, plaque, and decay.
Instead of just masking smells, modern dental care focuses on preventing issues through consistent oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day (and ideally after meals) with fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth and along the gumline. Using an alcohol-free mouthwash can also help rinse away debris. These practices are crucial for preventing cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup, which are common contributors to bad breath.
Focusing on Causes and Comprehensive Care
Modern dentistry also offers effective treatments for dental issues that were unheard of in Medieval times. We have highly successful procedures like root canal treatment to save infected teeth, orthodontic treatments to straighten teeth and correct bite issues, and restorative procedures like fillings and crowns. Dental professionals, including general dentists, endodontists who specialize in the inside of the tooth, and orthodontists who specialize in alignment, have the knowledge and technology to diagnose and treat dental problems effectively.
A Healthier Mouth for a Healthier You
Living in modern times certainly offers advantages when it comes to dental health. We’ve moved beyond chewing spices and burning strange candles to prevent bad smells and treat pain. Today, we understand that a healthier mouth can lead to better overall health. By practicing good oral hygiene habits, we can keep our smiles healthy and bright for a lifetime.
