We'd all rather visit a bookshop than a dentist. Before the modern age of dentistry, oral issues such as toothaches, abscesses, and rotten teeth were a nightmarish scenario. They were treated in a variety of ways including using rudimentary drills, extraction, arsenic, acupuncture, bloodletting, and artificial replacements. The only common element to treatment was excruciating pain. Thankfully, modern dentistry - in most cases, is a more pleasant and less painful experience and we can thank the legion of books that have educated dentists over the past two centuries.
According to an article in Nature Magazine published on November 22, 2005, the practice of dentistry goes as far back as 7000 BC. "Flint tips were surprisingly effective for drilling tooth enamel in a prehistoric population". There is evidence ancient Egyptians wrote about dentistry. A document, called Ebers Papyrus talked about different solutions for toothaches including using ingredients such as honey, onions, incense and even dead mice. Hippocrates was the first person to determine that food stuck between teeth was responsible for tooth decay and that compromised teeth should be pulled out.
The first dental book written in English was called Operator for the Teeth by Charles Allen in 1685. Pierre Fauchard, a 17th century French physician, is said to be the father of modern dentistry. He introduced dental fillings and stated that sugar was one of the culprits for decay.
From oral anatomy to early dental instruments to artificial teeth to early uses of anesthesia - these books from yesteryear provide a fascinating insight into the history of dentistry.