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The tooth, the whole tooth and the jawbone too

18th-century dentist Thomas Berdmore revealed the agonies his patients endured before, during and after treatment.

At this period, English-language dental information was scarce; Pierre Fauchard’s 1728 book Le Chirurgeon Dentiste approached the subject in a detailed scientific way that would lead to the author becoming known as ‘the father of dentistry’, but it was only available in French and German. Berdmore sought to fill this literary cavity and improve practitioners’ knowledge of anatomy and dental disease, as well as informing the public about the importance of tooth care in keeping the rest of the body healthy. He thought it would ‘come to a head’ and resolve of its own accord, so ‘he neglected it two or three months longer, by which time it became as large as a walnut, very painful, and affected his speech.’ A friend, who suspected that the man’s lack of oral hygiene had something to do with it, advised him to consult Berdmore.

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