DENTAL DISEASES AND OTHER INSULTS TO TEETH IN ANCIENT EGYPT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/1013-8471/2777Abstract
The objective of this article is to critically survey the literature of dental pathology in general and severe dental wear in particular. Dental wear was ubiquitous in the populations of Upper and Lower Egypt and we aim to show how other dental diseases are closely related to wearing down of teeth. Other diseases mentioned and discussed are caries, with special reference to the myth of the teeth-worm, periodontal disease, and hypoplasias. The causes, effect and treatment of dental pain following dental diseases clearly influenced the lifestyle of the individual. The Egyptians of the period did not seem to have much interest in an oral hygiene regime, with the significance of furthering their susceptibility to dental maladies. Dental pathology, in all its demeanours, is shown to have a direct and indirect effect on the demography of the population of ancient Egypt.Metrics
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