This Is What Going To The Dentist Used To Look Like. It Used To Be Even Worse.

Going to the dentist in unquestionably one of the worst experiences of human existence. Even though I always do what I’m supposed to, brushing and flossing twice a day, every single time I go in there the dentists hack at my teeth like I’ve been eating exclusively aluminum foil for the past 6 months. Not only that, but going to the dentist means getting needles and drills shoved in your mouth.

However, it could be worse. Oh, it could be so much worse. What you see below aren’t medieval torture devices, but were actually used by dentists of old to make mouths ‘better’. Imagine having to see these babies bi-annually.

Dental Screw Forceps (1848)

Clockwork Drill (1875)

Dental Forceps (1600s)

Dental Pelican (1600s)

Bow Drill (7000 BC)

And here is the Bow Drill in action.

Oral Speculum (1600s)

Finger-Rotated Dental Drill (1870s)

Wilcox-Jewett Obtunder (1905)

Dental Key (1810s)

Dental Mouth Gag (1500s)

Bone Chisels (1780s)

Secateurs (1810s)

Tongue Ecraseur (1850s)

Goat’s Foot Elevator (1700s)

Dental Phantom (1930s)

Who knew that dentistry used to be nothing but horror and gore? I used to be afraid of the dentist… and now I’m terrified. Thank goodness we have smaller needles, faster drills and better numbing agents.

This Is What Going To The Dentist Used To Look Like. It Used To Be Even Worse.