Did You Know These Facts About Dentistry in Ancient Egypt?

From the world’s first named dentist to surprisingly advanced toothpaste, discover how the ancient Egyptians shaped the dental care we know today.

When you settle into the dental chair, it’s easy to take modern dentistry for granted. But oral care stretches back thousands of years—all the way to the banks of the Nile. Ancient Egypt was home to the world’s first recorded dentist, early toothpaste recipes, and surprisingly sophisticated procedures. Here are answers to the most common questions about this fascinating chapter in dental history.

Hesy-Ra served under Pharaoh Djoser during the Third Dynasty. Inscriptions in his tomb at the Saqqara necropolis bear the title Wer-ibeh-senjw (“Great One of the Dentists”). His tomb featured carved cedar wood panels and some of the best-preserved wall paintings from the Old Kingdom. Records suggest he also concerned himself with the oral health of pyramid workers—recognizing that dental problems could slow construction.

The Ebers Papyrus (c. 1550 BCE) describes a paste made from ox hooves, ashes, burnt eggshells, and pumice—abrasives that scrubbed plaque much like the hydrated silica in modern tubes. A later formula called for rock salt, dried iris flower, mint, and pepper. Dentists who’ve tested recreations describe it as effective, if rough on the gums. Egyptians likely applied these pastes with toothbrushes made from frayed twigs.

Egyptian mouthwashes were typically chewable mixtures—celery and bran were common ingredients, designed to be chewed and spit out. More medicinal rinses, such as those made from Citrullus colocynthis (a bitter gourd) diluted in liquid, targeted painful oral conditions. Some of these ancient remedies were surprisingly effective, while others would be considered too harsh by today’s standards.

Abrasive particles in bread wore down tooth enamel over time—a condition called attrition. Many Egyptians also lacked sufficient vitamins and minerals, weakening teeth and gums further. The result was widespread inflammation, abscesses, and tooth loss. Even pharaohs suffered: Amenhotep III’s mummy showed poor dental health, and some researchers believe a dental abscess may have contributed to the death of Ramses II.

They drilled out cavities and packed teeth with composite fillings—one recipe combined barley, an antiseptic, and honey. The medical papyri contain roughly 18 distinct dental remedies for ulcers, abscesses, gum infections, and loose teeth. For unstable teeth, dentists created a paste that hardened around the tooth to temporarily stabilize it.

Made from gold or silver wire, these bands suggest Egyptians attempted to correct tooth alignment or spacing. There’s scholarly debate about whether they were applied during life or as part of burial preparation, but the concept of using wire to stabilize teeth is strikingly similar to modern braces.

Egyptian bridges used gold or silver wire to attach a replacement tooth to healthy adjacent teeth—remarkably similar to modern fixed bridges. Some gold bridgework found on mummies was elaborate enough to have doubled as a status symbol of wealth.

The profession had an organized hierarchy: lower-ranking dentists were called iryw-ibew, while elite practitioners held the title ir-iryw-ibew. This structure suggests dental education and professional standards were already part of Egyptian society thousands of years ago.

The Egyptians developed toothpaste, mouthwash, bridges, fillings, and even orthodontic devices with the best materials they had. But sand-grit bread, rudimentary instruments, and no anesthesia meant dental care was far more painful than what we enjoy today. Modern dentistry builds on thousands of years of Nile-born innovation—digital imaging, biocompatible materials, and gentle anesthetics that Hesy-Ra couldn’t have imagined. Next time you sit down for a routine cleaning, you might appreciate the appointment a little more.

At Just Ask Dental, we combine thousands of years of dental knowledge with today’s most advanced technology to give you comfortable, effective care. Whether you’re due for a cleaning, considering cosmetic options, or just have questions, we’re here to help.