Although the biggest danger to healthy teeth these days is sugar, and sugar was not found in many diets until about 1400, cavities, toothache, abscesses, and other dental problems could arise. Consequently, the Middle Ages developed ways to try to deal with them.
Food buildup on teeth was rubbed or brushed away by the use of rough linen cloth or twigs frayed at the end. Other substances applied to teeth to help clean them could include ground sage and salt, or a mix of pepper, salt, and mint (after which you were advised to swallow the stuff). Another recommended tooth cleaner was the charcoal made from burning the woody part of the rosemary plant.
Having sweet breath was desirable, and methods to deal with halitosis included mouthwashes of vinegar or wine, sometimes with herbs steeped in them. Fennel seeds or parsley or cloves could be carried around in case the need arose to sweeten one's breath on the fly.
Still, daily wear and tear occurred on the teeth. Stoneground bread sometimes had grit that could wear away at the enamel, leading to cavities and tooth loss. When the pain became too much, a trip to the barber-surgeon was necessary. By 1210, in France there was guild of people who specialized in dentistry. They called themselves "barbers," and tried to regulate the practice. France made royal decrees in 1400 to ensure that those performing dentistry had the proper training.
Books of medicine did not neglect teeth. Trotula had a solution for woman with black teeth:
… take walnut shells well cleaned of the interior rind, which is green, and … rub the teeth three times a day, and when they have been well rubbed … wash the mouth with warm wine, and with salt mixed in if desired.
She had a more elaborate recipe:
Take burnt white marble and burnt date pits, and white natron, a red tile, salt, and pumice. From all of these make a powder in which damp wool has been wrapped in a fine linen cloth. Rub the teeth inside and out.
After this rinse with wine again, then wipe the teeth with a new white cloth (have to get ride of the wine stains, after all!).
The advice to swallow the pepper and salt mixture came from Gilbertus Anglicus, who wrote a Compendium of Medicine. Let's talk about him and it tomorrow.
