Sign-In
Cart
Strange But True the Weird History of Dentistry: Tooth Worms, Barber Dentists, Waterloo Teeth, Laughing Gas, Terrifying Tools, Strange Dentures, and O
Paperback
Series: Sparktrail Strange But True, Book 51
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Sep 17 2026
Pages: 176
Weight: 0.49
Height: 0.44 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
What if your dentist was also your barber?
What if your dentures came from a battlefield?
And what if the treatment for a toothache involved arsenic, cocaine, a foot-powered drill, or an instrument that looked suspiciously like it belonged in a torture chamber?
Welcome to STRANGE BUT TRUE: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF DENTISTRY, where the history of the dentist's chair turns out to be much stranger, funnier, and more horrifying than anyone probably wanted.
Long before painless injections, digital X-rays, and polite little cups of mouthwash, toothache sufferers faced a very different world. Ancient healers blamed tooth worms. Barber surgeons pulled teeth between haircuts. Traveling tooth pullers worked crowds like carnival performers. Denture makers used ivory, animal teeth, and sometimes actual human teeth collected from battlefields.
And that was only the beginning.
Inside, you'll discover the bizarre true stories behind:
Tooth worms that survived in medical belief for centuries.
Barber dentists who offered shaving, bloodletting, and tooth extraction under one convenient roof.
The infamous dental key, a device built around the comforting idea that if a tooth would not come out, more leverage was probably the answer.
Waterloo teeth and the unsettling trade in human teeth for dentures.
George Washington's very real and very strange false teeth.
Laughing gas, ether, cocaine, and the chaotic race to make dentistry painless.
Arsenic deliberately placed inside painful teeth.
The Great Amalgam War, when dentists nearly tore their own profession apart over filling material.
Painless Parker, the dentist who used brass bands, public extractions, outrageous advertising, and a full-blown dental circus to attract patients.
Foot-powered drills that required the dentist to operate the machinery with one leg while working inside your mouth.
The dangerous early days of dental X-rays, when pioneers learned about radiation exposure the hard way.
And the many strange treatments, materials, machines, myths, and dental ideas that eventually disappeared into museums where they could no longer hurt anyone.
Funny, surprising, occasionally gruesome, and packed with stories that sound invented but absolutely are not, The Weird History of Dentistry explores how humanity went from tooth worms and battlefield dentures to the modern dental office.
After reading it, you may still dislike going to the dentist.
But you will probably feel much better when nobody walks in carrying a dental key.
Also from
Wann, Guy
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF THE TUDORS: Executions, Rotten Marriages, Royal Tantrums, Religious Chaos, Phantom Pregnancies, and Other Compl
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Strange But True the Weird History of Firearms: Duck's-Foot Pistols, Pocket Cannons, Volley Guns, Bizarre Revolvers, Failed Inventions, Famous Misfire
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF GOLF: Feather-Stuffed Balls, Cheating Champions, Drunken Caddies, Banned Games, Impossible Courses, and Other B
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Weird Zermatt Travel: Matterhorn Legends, Glacier Trains, Lunch in Italy, and Other Alpine Mischief
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Weird Rome Travel: Ancient Gladiators, Secret Keyholes, Talking Statues, Cat Sanctuaries, Vatican Oddities, and Other Roman Nonsense
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Weird Honeymoon Destinations in the USA: Strange Stays, Unusual Sights, and Romantic Trips That Refuse to Behave
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF FISHING: Ancient Hooks, Monster Fish, Bizarre Baits, Fishing Feuds, Record Catches, Tall Tales, and Other Stran
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Strange But True the Weird History of Graves, Catacombs & Cemeteries: Graveyards With Ghost Problems, Floating Coffins, Bone Churches, Safety Coffins,
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True the Weird History of Narrowboats: Canal Horses, Tunnel Leggers, Floating Families, Cheese Boats, and Other Bizarre Stories from Brita
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF MAGICIANS: Ancient Tricks, Vanishing Acts, Fake Ghosts, Dangerous Escapes, Secret Devices, Famous Hoaxes, and O
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF HAUNTED HOUSES: Ghostly Footsteps, Sealed Rooms, Cursed Mansions, Moving Furniture, Mysterious Knockings, and O
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Weird Outer Banks and the North Carolina Coast: Blackbeard, the Lost Colony, Wild Horses, Shipwrecks, Ghost Lights, Hurricane History, and Strange Bar
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF FAILED INVENTIONS: Rocket Mail, Radioactive Products, Flying Cars, Exploding Engines, and Other Brilliant Ideas
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF CARNIVAL SIDESHOWS: Sword Swallowers, Human Oddities, Flea Circuses, Fire Eaters, Fake Mermaids, Tattooed Perfo
Press, Sparktrail
Wann, Guy
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF THE VIKINGS: Runic Graffiti, Berserkers, Funeral Ships, Filed Teeth, Strange Gods, and Other Bizarre Stories fr
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: Royal Scandals: Ridiculous Wars, Foolish Rulers, and Other Historical Bad Decisions
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: The Weird History of Boards: Surfboards, Skateboards, Snowboards, Wakeboards, and Other Wild Rides
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Strange But True: THE WEIRD HISTORY OF ANCIENT ROME: Gladiators, Mad Emperors, Sacred Chickens, Public Toilets, and Other Bizarre Stories from the Rom
Wann, Guy
Press, Sparktrail
Paperback
Also in
Medical Reference
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fadiman, Anne
Paperback
The Immune Mystery: A Doctor's Impassioned Quest to Solve the Puzzle of Autoimmune Disease
Jelstad, Jørgen
Dr Kåss, Anita
Hardcover
Holistic Reflexology: Essential Oils and Crystal Massage in Reflex Zone Therapy
Kliegel, Ewald
Paperback
Being Well (Even When You're Sick): Mindfulness Practices for People with Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses
Rosenbaum, Elana
Paperback
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Paperback
Working The Roots: Over 400 Years of Traditional African American Healing
Lee, Michele Elizabeth
Paperback
The Hunger Code: Resetting Your Body's Fat Thermostat in the Age of Ultra-Processed Food
Fung, Jason
Hardcover
Integrating a Palliative Approach Workbook 2nd Edition, Revised: Essentials For Personal Support workers
Murray, Katherine
Paperback
Cialis & Men's Sexual Health: Understanding Tadalafil and Erectile Dysfunction
Stilton, John P.
Paperback
Food Is Medicine: Healing Our Bodies, Nourishing Our Minds, and Transforming Our Food System
Mozaffarian, Dariush
Hardcover
All Creatures Great and Small: The Warm and Joyful Memoirs of the World's Most Beloved Animal Doctor
Herriot, James
Paperback
Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression
Schubiner, Howard, MD
Hardcover
Anatomy Coloring Book with 450+ Realistic Medical Illustrations with Quizzes for Each
McCann, Stephanie
Wise, Eric
Paperback
THE DYSAUTONOMIA PROJECT Second Edition
Freeman, Kelly
Goldstein, David S.
Thompson, Charles R.
Paperback
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
You've Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy
Pasricha, Trisha, MD MPH
Hardcover
How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 29 Wild, Edible Mushrooms
Hyman, Frank
Paperback
The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People with Alzheimer Disease, Other Dementias, and Memory Loss
Rabins, Peter V.
Mace, Nancy L.
Paperback
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
Neff, Kristin
Germer, Christopher
Paperback
Living Life to the Fullest with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Guide to Living a Better Quality of Life While Having EDS
Muldowney Pt, Kevin
Muldowney Pt, Kathleen
Hardcover
Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods
Briden Nd, Lara
Paperback
The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life
Fotuhi, Majid
Hardcover
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (Dsm-5-Tr(r))
American Psychiatric Association
Paperback
Taking Charge of Adult ADHD: Proven Strategies to Succeed at Work, at Home, and in Relationships
Barkley, Russell A.
Paperback
The Breast Advice: All You Need to Know about Breast Health, Screening, and Treatment
Port, Elisa
Hardcover
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy, Happy Heart: Simple Steps to Achieving Long-Term Cardiovascular Health
Lara-Breitinger, Kyla M.
Lopez-Jimenez, Francisco
Lerman, Amir
Hardcover
Think Less, Sleep More: From Panic & Perfectionism to Stress-Free Sleep
Romiszewski, Stephanie
Hardcover
The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide: Emergency Preparedness for Any Disaster
Alton, Amy
Alton, Joseph
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence---From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness
Godfrey-Smith, Peter
Paperback
El Cuerpo Lleva La Cuenta: Cerebro, Mente Y Cuerpo En La Superación del Trauma / The Body Keeps the Score
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Paperback
The Flying Death: Poison, Plunder, and the Quest for a Miracle Medicine in the Amazon
O'Hara, Matt
Hardcover
The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts
Haver, Mary Claire
Hardcover
Cancer Is a Parasite: Kill It with the Safe, Over-The-Counter Antiparasitic Fenbendazole
Supple, William F., Jr.
Hardcover
Plant Powered Plus: Activate the Power of Your Gut to Tame Inflammation and Reclaim Your Health
Bulsiewicz, Will
Hardcover
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (Dsm-5-Tr(r))
American Psychiatric Association
Hardcover
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits
Morton III, David A.
Paperback
No One's Coming: The Rogue Heroes Our Government Turns to When There's Nowhere Else to Turn
Hazzard, Kevin
Hardcover
Spiritual Portraits of the Energy Release Points: A Compendium of Acupuncture Point Messages Found Within the 12 Meridians and 8 Extraordinary Vessels
Gervais, Michele Marie
Paperback
Stay Off My Kitchen Table: A Heart Surgeon's 4-Week Elimination Diet for Gut Repair, Metabolic Health, and Longevity
Lisec, Joshua
Ovadia, Philip
Paperback
Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from Dsm-5-Tr(r)
American Psychiatric Association
Paperback
Medicare 101: From Your Initial Enrollment Period to Parts A, B, C, and D, an Essential Primer on the Government Healthcare Program
Lankford, Kimberly
Hardcover
This Book May Cause Side Effects: The Curious and Dangerous Power of the Nocebo Effect, Placebo's Evil Twin
Pilcher, Helen
Hardcover
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Winfrey, Oprah
Perry, Bruce D., M. D. PH. D.
Hardcover
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss, Love, and
Perry, Bruce D.
Szalavitz, Maia
Paperback
Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease--And How to Fight It
Bikman, Benjamin
Paperback
Harrison's Guide to Inpatient Medicine: Common Internal Medicine Diseases and Workups
Longo, Dan L.
Fauci, Anthony S.
Edwards, Mitchell
Hardcover
God's Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine
Sweet, Victoria
Paperback
Fenbendazole & Ivermectin Protocols Handbook: A Definitive Guide on Treatment of Cancer for Patients and Caregivers
Willmott, Sebastian
Paperback
The Great Shadow: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, Believe, and Buy
Bauer, Susan Wise
Hardcover
The Cortisol Cure: The Secret to Resetting Your Stress Response, Boosting Energy & Feeling Better Than Ever
Kinney, Erin
Hardcover
Medical Terminology Made Simple: Easily Learn, Memorize, and Pronounce Medical Terms
Temple, John, MD
Paperback
The Cost of Care: How Four Nurses Put Patients First in a Profit-Driven System
Brown, Theresa
Hardcover
Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2027
Papadakis, Maxine A.
Rabow, Michael W.
McQuaid, Kenneth R.
Hardcover
Curved Air: A Biography of Sickle Cell Anemia and the Quest to Cure the First Molecular Disease
Davies, Kevin
Hardcover
Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present
Washington, Harriet A.
Paperback
Cure Your Fatigue, Second Edition: The Root Cause and How to Fix It on Your Own
Robbins, Morley M.
Paperback
The Lithium Revolution: Optimizing Mood, Memory, and Lifelong Brain Health With Nutritional Lithium
Greenblatt, James
Paperback
How to Forage for Medicinal Plants Without Dying: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Identifying 32 Healing Wild Herbs
Ruiz, Brandon
Paperback
Child Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Second Edition
Tien, Elizabeth
Feder, Joshua D.
Puzantian, Talia
Paperback
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Fadiman, Anne
Paperback
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Pollan, Michael
Paperback
The Dementia Care Toolkit: Real Help for Challenging Behaviors and Caregiving Overwhelm
Edmonds, Natali N.
Paperback
Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from Dsm-5-Tr(r)
American Psychiatric Association
Paperback
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
Millard, Candice
Paperback
The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (Why Intermittent Fasting Is the Key to Controlling Your Weight)
Fung, Jason
Paperback
Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers
Kleiman, Karen
Hardcover
Nursing School Entrance Exams Prep: Your All-In-One Guide to the Kaplan and Hesi Exams
Kaplan Nursing
Paperback
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Winfrey, Oprah
Perry, Bruce D., M. D. PH. D.
Paperback
Indoor Epidemic: 93% Inside Steals Sleep, Focus & Years-The 7% Outdoor Rx Restores Them
La Puma, John
Paperback
Hidden Epidemic: Silent Oral Infections Cause Most Heart Attacks and Breast Cancers
Levy, Jd
Paperback
American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics
Hazzard, Kevin
Paperback
The Practical Science of Herbs: An Evidence-Backed Guide to 50 Therapeutic Herbs and How to Use Them
Hill-Hart, Aisha
Paperback
The Other Side of the Straitjacket: A Daughter's Story of Mental Illness and Assisted Dying
Duncan, Alicia
Paperback
Menopause: What Your Ob-GYN Wants You to Know
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of
Paperback
A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps: The Classic Guide for All People in the Process of Recovery
Carnes, Patrick J.
Paperback
Clinical Reasoning: Coaching the Struggling Medical Learner
Parsons, Andrew S.
Warburton, Karen M.
Paperback
The Quantum Power of GLP-1 Peptides: Unlocking the Science that Leads to Lasting Weight Loss and Optimal Healthspan
Seeds, William A.
Paperback
Shoulder Pain? The Solution & Prevention: Fifth Edition, Revised & Expanded
Kirsch, John M.
Paperback
Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia, 2nd Edition
Campbell-McBride, Natasha, MD
Paperback
Heal Empower Restore: A Revolutionary Road Map to Support the Body and Mind Throughout Cancer Care
Weldon, Sue
Unite for Her
Paperback