Oral and body hygiene in the Modern Ag

The Modern Age is the third of the historical periods into which universal history is divided, between the 15th and 18th centuries. Although it was a stage of important development in many areas, in other aspects it had some shortcomings. Here we explain what oral and body hygiene was like during the Modern Age.

Body hygiene in the Modern Age

Visiting the Palace of Versailles in Paris is to enter a world of splendor and grandeur. However, a significant detail is the complete absence of bathrooms in this sumptuous palace. This fact leads us to explore the oral health and hygiene practices of these centuries, contrasting them with modern advances. We will discover how the lack of hygiene affected people’s daily lives and health, including the nobles of the time.

Versailles: a palace of contradictions

Returning to Versailles and its magnificence, it was also a place of extreme contrasts in terms of hygiene. The palace, which could prepare banquets for 1,500 people, had deplorable hygiene. Human excrement was thrown out of the windows, contaminating the environment and contributing to the general stench of the place. The gardens, today admired for their beauty, were used as toilets during festivals, as there were no bathrooms available.

Clothing: an ally against body odor in the Modern Age

The heavy, full skirts of the court ladies were not only a sign of status, but also a way to contain bad body odor. Due to the lack of frequent showers, clothing was designed to mask odors from private parts.

The bride’s bouquet: a tradition that lasts

It seems that the origin of the tradition of brides carrying a bouquet of flowers at the wedding is related to this time, since, in addition to being an ornament, it was used to cover the stench. The showers, when they were held, were an annual event in May, when the weather was warmer. This practice explains why many weddings were celebrated in June, when body odor was still bearable.

Bathing, an unusual and shared practice in the Modern Age

Baths were taken in a single huge bathtub filled with hot water. The head of the family had the privilege of the first bath in clean water, followed by the other members of the family in order of age, ending with the babies, who often bathed in dirty and potentially dangerous water. This bathing order was not only unhygienic, but also reflected the strict social hierarchies of the time. To make matters worse, many families had animals and kept them under the roof of the house on rainy days, a source of disease.

The use of cans for the consumption of food and drinks

Nor did it help in terms of health that they used cans with tin for preserved food, since these oxidized when in contact with certain foods and could cause poisoning. So much so that tomatoes, which used to react especially to contact with cans, were avoided for a long time. Something similar happened with alcoholic beverages, which when consumed in these cans could induce cataplexy, causing some to be mistaken for dead and prepared for burial. This is where the tradition of the wake comes from, where people waited to see if the “dead” person had really died. This habit was a reflection of the lack of medical knowledge and the rudimentary diagnostic skills of the time.

Reuse of graves and the expression “Saved by the bell”

Regarding death, in England they were especially concerned about burial space, which led to the reuse of tombs. It seems that, during this practice, scratches were discovered inside the coffins, indicating that some people had been buried alive. As a curiosity, to avoid this type of tragedies, a few centuries later a safety coffin was developed that had a bell on the outside connected to the deceased by a rope; if the bell rang, the dead person was rescued. Although there are those who argue that the phrase “Saved by the Bell” arose here, the most widespread theory is that its origin is related to boxing.

Oral health in the modern age

With such body hygiene problems, it is not surprising that oral health was also a seriously neglected aspect. The lack of proper toothbrushes and toothpastes meant that many people suffered from cavities and gum disease. The nobles and rich, despite having access to better resources, were not immune to these problems.

Primitive tools for brushing teeth

Some tried to groom themselves with bird feathers, rags or twigs. These twigs were frayed at one end and used to rub teeth and gums, a rudimentary precursor to the toothbrush. The use of ash, salt and herbs was common to try to combat bad breath and clean teeth, although these methods were largely ineffective and often harmful to tooth enamel.

Impact of diet on dental health

The lack of knowledge about the relationship between diet and dental health exacerbated the problem. The nobility consumed large quantities of foods rich in starch and sugar, such as bread and sweets, which increased the incidence of cavities. Refined foods and a lack of fiber in the diet also contributed to greater accumulation of dental plaque and cavities.

The barber surgeons: the dentists of that time

Dentists, as we know them today, did not exist. Serious dental problems were treated by barber-surgeons, who performed tooth extractions without anesthesia. This procedure was extremely painful and dangerous, as it often led to serious infections. Dental prostheses were rudimentary and usually made of bone, ivory, or even human teeth extracted from corpses. The lack of anesthesia and aseptic procedures meant that dental interventions were feared and avoided until the pain was unbearable.

Catherine de’ Medici and Louis XIV, two famous cases

Catherine de’ Medici, one of the most powerful figures of her time, suffered from severe dental problems. It is said that her teeth were so deteriorated that they gave off a constant bad odor, which affected her social and political interactions. For his part, Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, also had dental problems. His decayed teeth and infected gums contributed to his reputation for having foul breath, which became a diplomatic problem at his court. These historical examples highlight how oral health could influence policy and public perception of leaders.

Advances in hygiene and oral health in the Contemporary Age

As the centuries passed and with the arrival of the Contemporary Age, personal hygiene began to improve. The invention of soap and its popularization in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant change. Baths became more common and accessible and the perception of body cleanliness changed radically. The development of infrastructure such as sewers and running water supplies also improved general hygienic conditions, reducing infectious diseases and improving quality of life.

The toothbrush, a revolution in oral health

Oral health also experienced a revolution. The first modern toothbrushes were invented in China in the 18th century, made of pig hair bristles and bone handles. These brushes began to spread throughout Europe, marking the beginning of greater attention to oral hygiene. In the 19th century, toothbrushes with nylon bristles replaced those with animal bristles, improving the effectiveness and hygiene of brushing.

Development of modern dentistry

The 19th century saw the birth of dentistry as a medical profession. Dentists began using more advanced and safer techniques to treat dental problems. Anesthesia was introduced, making the procedures less painful. The invention of toothpaste and mouthwash provided more effective methods of maintaining dental health. Discoveries in microbiology and Louis Pasteur’s germ theory helped to better understand the causes of dental diseases and develop more effective treatments.

Oral health education and prevention

In the 20th century, education about the importance of oral hygiene became a central focus. Public health campaigns promoted regular brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist. These efforts have led to significant improvements in dental health around the world.