Oral Hygiene Induced Lesions of Dental HardTissues in the Time-span between 16 th and 19 th Centuries

Overview

Within the framework of anthropological and medical research of skeletalremains of the Sweerts-Sporck noble family, preserved dentitions of five individuals wereexamined. A detailed investigation of the teeth revealed the lesions of dental hard tissues atfour individuals. Dish-shaped lesions profiles were observed at three individuals that have livedin the time-span between 16 th and 18 th centuries. In the fourth individual, who had lived in19 th century, only wedge-shaped lesions profile was found. Based on macro- and microscopicfeatures of lesions, we suppose that they were formed due to practiced oral hygiene. There isno evidence of lesions with wedge-shaped profile in the period before the first toothbrush hasbeen invented. Our finding fully corresponds to this fact and supports the theory that impropertoothbrush use is responsible for the origin of this abrasion pattern.

Key words:
oral hygiene – wedge-shaped lesions – arteficial abrasion