Tom Hughes
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- May 27, 2019
- Location
- Mississippi
Yesterday, I was relic hunting at a 19th century site in Mississippi and found the remains of what I believe are tooth extractor pliers.
This relic reveals a grim look at what it meant to go to the dentist in the 1800's....Ouch!
If you had a toothache back then you would probably be paying a visit to the local barber or blacksmith who also doubled as a dental surgeon. He would be the one to pull your tooth. A tooth could be pulled for as little as 25 cents but if you were one with some money then some opium would help ease the painful visit.
Of course, infection was always a problem to be dealt with after the procedure, which could even result in death.
Although this is just 1/2 of the tooth pliers, it paints a painful picture of what our ancestors faced when their teeth started hurting.
Makes me glad to be living in the year 2019!
This relic reveals a grim look at what it meant to go to the dentist in the 1800's....Ouch!
If you had a toothache back then you would probably be paying a visit to the local barber or blacksmith who also doubled as a dental surgeon. He would be the one to pull your tooth. A tooth could be pulled for as little as 25 cents but if you were one with some money then some opium would help ease the painful visit.
Of course, infection was always a problem to be dealt with after the procedure, which could even result in death.
Although this is just 1/2 of the tooth pliers, it paints a painful picture of what our ancestors faced when their teeth started hurting.
Makes me glad to be living in the year 2019!