Dental Bookshop - The Excruciating History of Dentistry: Toothsome Tales & Oral Oddities from Babylon to Braces by James Wynbrandt

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Publisher:		St. Martin's Griffin
Edition:		1st
Date:		August 17, 2000
Binding:		Paperback
Pages:		248

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For those on both sides of the dreaded dentist's chair, James Wynbrandt has written a witty, colorful, and richly informative history of the art and science of dentistry. To all of those dental patients whose whine rises in tandem with that of the drill, take note: You would do well to stifle your terror and instead offer thanks to Apollonia, the patron saint of toothache sufferers, that you face only fleeting discomfort rather than the disfiguring distress, or slow agonizing death oft meted out by dental-care providers of the past. The transition from yesterday's ignorance, misapprehension, and superstition to the enlightened and nerve-deadened protocols of today has been a long, slow, and very painful process. For example, did you know that: Among the toothache remedies favored by Pierre Fauchard, the father of dentistry, was rinsing the mouth liberally with one's own urine. George Washington never had wooden teeth. However, his chronic dental problems may have impacted the outcome of the American Revolution. Soldiers in the Civil War needed at least two opposing front teeth to rip open powder envelopes. Some men called up for induction had their front teeth extracted to avoid service. Teeth were harvested from as many as fifty thousand corpses after the Battle of Waterloo, a huge crop later used for dentures and transplants that became known as "Waterloo Teeth."

Customers' Reviews:

Humorous and Informative, February 10, 2007

This is a fun read. A must have for any oral health professional.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.



Well researched, and brilliantly funny, February 17, 2004

From its quirky title through the painful truths of the profession, the writing is masterful. If you have a mind for tongue in cheek humor beautifully written, the book is for you. Not a subject you ever cared much about? It doesn't matter. This author makes it fun.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.



Interesting history book, July 29, 2000

I enjoyed this book, but it was rather a slow read most of the time. Some really funny incidents are chronicled here. Best for people in the dental profession and not just the medical profession at large (like me.)
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.