Picture the scene: a grand stone hall, roaring fire, King Arthur himself sitting upon his throne at Camelot. Minstrels strum lyres, knights swap tales of valour, and somewhere in the background, a royal advisor winces and cradles his jaw. Yes, even in the legendary kingdom of Camelot, toothache was no stranger to the dinner table.
The Golden Age of Knights — But Not Exactly for Teeth
While Arthurian legend paints a romantic picture of chivalry, feasts, and grand adventures, one thing those tales rarely mention is oral hygiene. In the 5th and 6th centuries — the era that would eventually inspire the Arthurian myths — dental care was, shall we say, somewhat rudimentary compared to what we enjoy today at Oxshott Dental.
Back then, a broken or aching tooth meant one of a few unpleasant outcomes: suffering in silence, a primitive extraction, or perhaps a visit to whoever in the village was brave enough — or reckless enough — to attempt a cure. There were no dental chairs, no numbing injections, and certainly no appointments available through a handy online booking system.
What Did They Actually Use?
Before modern toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste, people relied on some surprisingly inventive — if not always effective — methods to keep their teeth clean:
- Chewing sticks: Twigs from trees like oak or birch were common. You’d chew one end until it frayed into bristles, then scrub away. It wasn’t a bad idea, really — the twigs contained natural antibacterial properties.
- Salt and vinegar: Our ancestors were known to scrub their teeth with a mixture of salt or vinegar, sometimes with crushed herbs like mint or rosemary thrown in. Effective? Marginally. Pleasant? Not exactly.
- Honey and oil pulls: Some cultures used honey as a soothing balm for gum irritations, while oil pulling — swishing sesame or sunflower oil — was practiced in ancient India and eventually spread across cultures.
Diet, of course, played a huge role. With far less refined sugar in the diet than today (sugar being a relatively modern introduction to Europe), our ancestors did have one advantage. But between coarse bread, dried meats, and the occasional revelry washed down with ale, their teeth hardly had an easy time of it.
The Rise and Fall of Knights’ Teeth
Dental decay and gum disease were distressingly common. Without X-rays, without antibiotics, and certainly without root canal treatment, a simple cavity could become a serious — even life-threatening — infection. Tooth extractions, performed with crude instruments, were often the only solution, and recovery was… painful.
It’s worth remembering that even figures from history we idolise were not immune. Skeletal remains from this period show significant tooth loss and dental disease, even among the higher classes who ate better than common folk. Arthur himself, if he existed, almost certainly had dental troubles — even if no round table companion was tasked with addressing them.
How Far We’ve Come
Today, we are incredibly fortunate. At Oxshott Dental, we have access to techniques and technologies that mediaeval healers could never have imagined:
- Routine fillings that restore teeth painlessly and effectively
- Digital X-rays that spot problems long before they become emergencies
- Preventive care — regular check-ups, hygiene appointments, and personalised advice to keep your smile healthy for life
- Emergency appointments when the unexpected strikes — a far cry from the village extraction table
Looking After Your Smile — The Modern Way
While we can’t promise you a seat at a round table, we can promise exceptional dental care in a warm, welcoming environment. The next time you’re brushing your teeth morning and night (as your dentist recommends!), spare a thought for the knights of old — they truly had it much harder.
At Oxshott Dental, we’re proud to offer comprehensive care for the whole family. Whether it’s time for your routine check-up, a hygiene appointment, or simply some advice on keeping your smile in top shape, we’re here for you.
Call us on 01344 882 117 or visit us at Oxshott Dental to book your appointment today. Your teeth will thank you — and unlike a trip to Camelot, it won’t involve any dragons.
