{"id":196,"date":"2024-11-20T07:18:43","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T07:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=196"},"modified":"2024-12-17T07:19:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T07:19:13","slug":"oral-hygiene-of-pilgrims-and-native-americans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dfwpediatricdentistry.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/20\/oral-hygiene-of-pilgrims-and-native-americans\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Progress: The Oral Hygiene of Pilgrims & Native Americans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Smiling<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

From the very start, Thanksgiving has always shown gratitude for oral health. That’s only natural – healthy mouths with strong teeth<\/a> add to anyone’s quality of life! Still, how people show appreciation for their smiles has changed since the days of Plymouth Rock. Your kids should note those changes as this year’s Turkey Day arrives. So, here’s a primer on how the oral hygiene of pilgrims and Native Americans differs from today’s modern standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Did Oral Care Work for Pilgrims & Natives?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help your kids appreciate their teeth, tell them about oral hygiene for pilgrims and natives. They\u2019ll likely be surprised and fascinated by the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, the pilgrims and their native neighbors had primitive dental care. They often relied on toothbrushes made from hog hair attached to the ends of twigs. Some natives also scrubbed their teeth with sage \u2013 an evergreen shrub now used as a seasoning. While these methods were somewhat helpful, they only staved off the worst effects of bad oral hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, the pilgrims and Native Americans suffered their share of dental problems. Lack of resources and education led them to suffer high levels of tooth decay, cavities, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does It Work in the Present?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve outlined colonial dental care, emphasize how today\u2019s oral hygiene stands a cut above. Doing so should help your children value their smiles even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the first Thanksgiving, dentistry has made major progress. Most people now use soft-bristled toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste to clean their teeth, not twigs. They also better understand how to care for their smiles, so they have healthier mouths than early colonists did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, this modern shift should be a major source of gratitude on Thanksgiving. We wouldn\u2019t have strong and beautiful smiles without it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oral Care Tips for This Thanksgiving<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help your kids put their dental gratitude into practice, have them stick to the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n