{"id":84,"date":"2023-06-04T08:36:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-04T08:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shorewoodfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=84"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:01:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T14:01:17","slug":"the-age-old-practices-of-improving-smiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shorewoodfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/04\/the-age-old-practices-of-improving-smiles\/","title":{"rendered":"The Age-Old Practices of Improving Smiles!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"a<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Do you often look in the mirror and wish to improve your smile in some way? If so, you are not alone. A survey by OnePoll found that almost 60% of people would like to change something about their teeth. The interesting thing is this is not just a phenomenon of modern times; people as far back as ancient times were inventing ways to make their pearly whites more beautiful! Read on to learn how far cosmetic dentistry<\/a> has come over the centuries, as well as current treatments to upgrade your grin.<<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Did Ancient Times Improve Smiles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There were many innovative ways in ancient days to restore\nand improve teeth. In 700 B.C., ivory and animal bones were used to replace\nmissing teeth as a crude denture. Cosmetic dentistry was widely used in Ancient\nEgypt, by using gold to make dental crowns and bridges. They would even use\nseashells as a tooth loss solution. The Ancient Romans were attempting to\nwhiten their teeth\u2014with urine! The ammonia was said to remove stains and give a\nluminous smile. Fortunately, there are now better ways to brighten your smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medieval Dentistry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dentistry was not yet an established practice during the\nMiddle Ages. Barbers were often also performing dental treatments and\nprocedures. They would whiten teeth with a salt crystal paste, which did not\nquite do the job. The concoction would actually damage the enamel and damage teeth\nin the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advancements in the Age of Enlightenment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By the beginning of the 1700s, porcelain was gaining\npopularity in cosmetic dentistry. However, this didn\u2019t stop old practices of\nrestoring teeth with metals. This ultimately proved unsuccessful\u2014the body would\neventually reject the metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Modern Dentistry Improve Smiles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By the 1990s, porcelain, plastics, and acrylics were beginning\nto be consistently utilized in enhancing smiles.  Cosmetic dentistry really began to make an indelible\nmark on society. Additionally, dental lasers and using dental-grade peroxide for\nbleaching teeth were making drastic improvements. The following are some common\ncosmetic dental treatments successfully and conveniently used:<\/p>\n\n\n\n