Tooth Worms and Medieval Dentistry
Imagine this: you are in the medieval ages and experiencing tooth pain. You visit the local healer who diagnoses you with tooth worms. Yes, literal worms wiggling inside your tooth causing the unbearable pain. Seems something from a Black Mirror episode, right? Welcome to the fascinating—and slightly horrifying—world of medieval dentistry.
The tooth worm theory
The tooth worm theory was a common misconception believed to be true by various ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Egyptians, Germans, and Greeks. Evidence has been found as far back as 2000 BC describing various ways to kill these worms using medical herbs. It was thought that these worms lived inside our teeth, feeding on the food we ate, and caused pain while they wriggled, grew, and died when they came in contact with air. It was even linked to the cause of headaches.
Medieval cure
Medical salves - Cloves, honey, and garlic were thought to subjugate these worms. It did work, as later it was found to have analgesic and soothing effects.
Spells - Various spells were practiced to mitigate this problem.
“Pear tree, I complain to you, three worms are gnawing me, one is gray and the other one is blue, the third one is red, I wish, all three were dead… While reciting the verses, one touched the tree and turned three times around it clockwise.”
Oaths - Even oaths were taken to expel these worms.
“Vor die Würme in Zeenen. Ein wunderlich/vnd doch wahrhafftig/Kunststücklein. Schneide von einem jungen Weidenen stamme/die öbere rinde weg/vnd schneide darunter einen span heraus/ stöchere die Zeene damit/das sie bluten/vnd las das blut am Span trucken oder treuge werden. Darnach gehe hin vnd setze den Span fein wider ein/wie du in aus der Weide genomen/lege die Rinde wider drüber/vnd binde es mit weichen Lehme zu/so vergeht dich die wehetage. Est vera cura, vnd ist keine Zauberey” - Text published in 1604
Incense and prayers - Incenses were burned, and inhaling these medicinal herbs was thought to help.
Extraction - Removal of the tooth could help in eliminating the problem of the worms.
The mystery was finally solved
This theory held strong until the 17th century, when scientists discovered the real culprit: bacteria producing acids that erode enamel. This led to the discovery of the field of dentistry and its various aspects, including fillings, root canal treatment, etc.
But medieval dentistry wasn’t entirely useless. Some herbal remedies, like clove oil, actually have real medicinal properties.
Fun Fact:
In some parts of India and Africa, the tooth worm myth persisted well into the 19th century.
Do you find this interesting? What do you think of this hilarious history?
MBH/PS