Where Did Orthodontics Start?

Orthodontics have been around for a while - longer than you might think, actually. The ancient Egyptians used a substance produced from animal intestines to shift their teeth into better alignment, and it was an ancient Roman scientist who discovered the trick to shifting teeth into a new position - by putting finger pressure on them for a long length of time over a series of months.

But it was in the 1770s when contemporary orthodontics properly developed, when Pierre Fauchard created the Bandeau, a device shaped like a horseshoe which was decided to create a natural arch in the mouth. This was followed in the early 1800s by Francois Delabarre’s wire crib, which helped move teeth into better alignments. It took another century to combine the wire cribs with microscopic rubber tubing, and another hundred years after that for dentists to reach the modern era of orthodontics.

In the early 1900s, dentists began to wrap different materials, including ivory, wood, copper and silver, and connect them with bands that helped push teeth into proper places. Because ivory and silver were expensive, they were swapped for stainless steel in the 1970s, and then invisible braces and clear retainers began to boom in the 1990s.

How can I celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month?

Okay, hear us out. We know there’s another fairly important holiday in October, and it’s one that features a lot of sweet treats - but one way to observe National Orthodontic Health Month is to avoid sweets that would destroy your teeth. In order to maintain your oral health, you’ve got to eat right, and that doesn’t just mean avoiding sugar. Nutrition is extremely important for your teeth and gums, so eating a balanced diet that delivers all the vitamins and minerals you need is important for avoiding tooth decay, gum disease and cavities. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate in October, maybe commit to a new diet that will help you keep your teeth stronger for longer.

You can also observe National Orthodontic Health Month by getting in touch with your orthodontist and making an appointment. Orthodontistry is about more than just having a smile you can be proud of - having teeth that work properly is important for the way we eat. You can bite, chew and talk more easily when you have a good bite, so your local orthodontic dentist might be able to help you with tooth grinding or digestive complaints that can occur when your teeth don’t sit right.

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Celebrate National Orthodontic Health Month by choosing foods that are good for your teeth, and making an appointment with your local orthodontist to find out if your teeth are sitting correctly in your mouth.