Dental health in ancient Rome was better than ours

The general thought was that the dental health of ancient people was worse than ours. But new research suggests that dental health in Roman times may have been better than ours.

Archaeologists, computer engineers, anthropologists and orthodontists have jointly discovered in a project that the ancient Romans had healthier teeth than they do in modern life today.

A historical event provides insight into the lifestyle and habits of ancient Rome.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the people of Herculaneum and Pompeii were suddenly crushed by gas explosions, avalanches of pumice and ash, and died instantly. Settlements 20 kilometers away from Vesuvius also suffered the same fate.

This extraordinary volcanic event preserved the bodies and cities in which these victims lived at the time of their death, allowing us to learn a lot about their health and culture nearly 2,000 years later.

With the help of advanced imaging technology, scientists are examining the remains of 30 men, women and children who died in Pompeii. The results were surprising.

Researchers have discovered that, thanks to the incredibly preserved remains of the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the ancient Romans had a good diet and healthy, strong teeth regardless of their status.

Dental care was important in Roman times

While the people of ancient Rome were not familiar with the dental hygiene we use today, they were no strangers to hygiene routines and cleaning their teeth.

They used weathered sticks and abrasive powders to brush their teeth. These powders were made from ground hooves, pumice, eggshells, seashells, and ashes. Considering the time, these were undoubtedly appropriate cleaning measures and likely led to the beginning of what is known today as the toothbrush and toothpaste.

Historical documents show that the Ancient Romans used both human and animal urine as mouthwash to whiten their teeth. In fact, urine collectors stood on street corners to collect the urine of passers-by.

Thanks to the ammonia content of the urine, the compound of nitrogen and hydrogen can act as a cleaning agent. Rome so valued urine for its ammonia that Emperor Vespasian taxed the urine trade.

We probably all prefer the current mouthwash method 🙂