BBC News Online health staff Think of medieval England and you
are likely to conjure up an image of a wizened hag with black
stumps for teeth. Treatment was reserved for the elite But
although that might have been the unfortunate state of some
people's teeth, others had much better care. Documents show
that, not only were the educationally elite aware of the
importance of keeping their teeth clean, but they also knew how
to fill cavities and deal with facial fractures. They could
recognise oral cancer and even knew the rudiments of teeth
whitening. A paper published in the British Dental Journal shows
that medieval (12-14th century) literature even makes reference
to creating false teeth. The paper's author, osteo-archeologist
Trevor Anderson, said the papers referred to ways of preserving
and improving teeth. "There were liquids to whiten teeth,
methods of removing calculus (plaque) and compounds for filling
cavities. "There is also a reference to dentures made of human
teeth or cow bone. "Surgery is known f