{"id":1336,"date":"2023-08-09T23:21:39","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T23:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/the-rotten-teeth-of-shakespeares-time\/"},"modified":"2023-08-09T23:21:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T23:21:39","slug":"the-rotten-teeth-of-shakespeares-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/the-rotten-teeth-of-shakespeares-time\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rotten Teeth of Shakespeare\u2019s Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nWE CAN SEE<\/b> a hint of the state of dental health in Shakespeare\u2019s England from a sonnet in which he describes his lady love\u2019s reeking breath. The lines \u201cblack contagious breath\u201d and \u201chis breath stinks with eating toasted cheese\u201d make it into two of the history plays. This was likely because dental health in England was in a sorry state during the Bard\u2019s day.<\/p>\n

The Sugar Trade Devastates English Dental Health<\/h3>\n

Cavities and missing teeth were common in Early Modern England, but it was much worse for the wealthy and even Queen Elizabeth herself, whose teeth were described as \u201cvery yellow and unequal\u201d by a French ambassador and \u201cher teeth black\u201d by a German traveler, who correctly identified sugar as the culprit. That\u2019s right: the sugar trade had reached England, and aristocratic teeth paid a heavy price for it. Surgeons, tooth-drawers, and blacksmiths had a lot of work to do pulling rotten teeth.<\/p>\n

Cavities Only the Nobility Could Afford<\/h3>\n

Sugar was so expensive that only the wealthy could afford it. Some were even using sugar paste to brush their teeth! Many in the lower classes would actually rub charcoal on their teeth to make themselves appear richer. As for actual dental hygiene, people would use quills or wood for toothpicks and cloths to wipe off plaque. We\u2019re definitely happier with modern floss and toothbrushes!<\/p>\n

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license<\/a><\/span>. Image cropped and modified from original.<\/h6>\n
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.<\/span><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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