Η ΟΔΟΝΤΙΑΤΡΙΚΗ ΣΤΗ ΜΕΣΟΠΟΤΑΜΙΑ.

The oldest written sources on medicine in human history of mankind come from the region of Mesopotamia. Information about dentistry of the era is available in many of the thousands of clay tablets with cuneiform texts. Mesopotamians suffered from similar diseases to those that prevail today. The study of skeletal remains revealed extensive tooth abrasion in 95%, periodontal lesions in 42% and caries in 2%, while many cases of congenital abnormalities and neoplastic lesions were observed. The dentition had modern morphological characteristics but dental health was relatively poor. Findings from the bones and teeth indicate that the population suffered from health problems and nutritional deficiency. The peoples of Mesopotamia were deeply religious, so the theurgic and magical elements had a predominant role in the healings they sought. The myth of the tooth worm, that is associated with caries, was first described in cuneiform tablets. They were aware of the unbearable pain caused by an inflamed pulp or a dental abscess. In the attempt to control pain, toothache and other oral diseases they applied of various medication therapies, establishing eventually a form of Materia Medica. Over the years the emphasis shifts from magical to empirical healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]