Dental descaling set, England, 1801-1850

Made:
1801-1850 in England
Dental descaling set, cased, probably English, 1801-1850

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Dental descaling set, cased, probably English, 1801-1850
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Dental descaling set, cased, probably English, 1801-1850

These descaling instruments were used to remove tartar and plaque from the surface of the tooth. The set contains six descalers, each with a different shaped head, which screw into the ivory handle.

These instruments are very sharp but a large amount of force was probably needed to remove deposits. This could be painful, especially if a tooth was loosened or the gums were scratched in the process. Such instruments came into more general use in the 1700s and were used by both dentists and ordinary individuals. But at a time when dental hygiene was virtually non-existent for much of the population, instruments like these were likely to be owned and used by the wealthier members of society.

Details

Category:
Dentistry
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A620848
Materials:
cardboard, leather, velvet, ivory, steel and brass
Measurements:
overall: 15 mm x 63 mm x 50 mm, .06kg
type:
dental descaler set