Teeth were a problem in Georgian England, but not nearly so much as the makers of period films would have us believe. There would have been more crooked teeth, as there were no braces to straighten them, but the image of Georgian Londoners with black, gappy mouths is most likely not correct. Sugar was widely available, but people knew it caused tooth decay and they were also very conscious of plaque build up, hence the masses of toothpicks/toothpick boxes/home scaling sets in shagreen cases. To have 'scales' or 'scurf' of the teeth was frowned upon and to pick one's teeth at the table was deemed vulgar, but judging from the amount of advertisements and concern for tooth whiteness/general appearance in personal correspondence, there is no doubt people did take time and care over their dental hygiene.
Toothbrushes had been invented, but were imported from France and Turkey, where they had perfected the 'little brushes for making clean of the teeth'. Toothpaste was available, and usually contained some form of ground abrasive such as cuttle-fish bone, coral, alabaster and various sweetening agents such as rose or orange-flower water. It could be bought as a powder and mixed to a paste as required, or as little rolls known as 'dentifrice', which presumably, were chewed and used with the brush.
The biggest problem with teeth in Georgian England was what happened when they fell out. Barber surgeons, and travelling dentists were known to transplant teeth (yuck!), but with what measure of success there is no way of knowing. French dentists were considered to be the best, which brings me neatly onto two of my favourite subjects: artisans and trade cards. The trade card featured here is for Pezé Pilleau the Younger. His father arrived in England as a Huguenot refugee and went on to make an array of excellent silverware, but he was also skilled in the manufacture of artificial teeth. In February 1696, The Postman reported, 'Mr Pilleau as French Goldsmith does give Notice that by and Experience of 18 Years he has found out a way to make and set Artificial Teeth in so firm a manner that one may chew with them.' This of course, was the Holy Grail of denture manufacture. False teeth had been made for a long time, from bone, ivory (hippo tusk being the finest form as it remained white whereas other ivory was known to yellow in the mouth), and precious metals. Many had false teeth just for show, but they were useless for eating, rather limiting the ability to dine out, I'd imagine.
In January of 1719, The Postman reported, 'Mr Pileau (sic) continueth to make and set Artificial Teeth and whole Jaws or Rows with the utmost nicety'. The Pilleau here is Pezé junior. It was common for a son to issue a new trade card when he inherited the business, and here the younger Pilleau's speciality is clearly advertised. I wonder what proportion of the business the dentures made up, as the card is certainly pre-occupied with dentistry, rather than goldsmithing.
P. Pilleau Goldsmith
at the Golden Cup
in Shandos Street
Makes, & Sells, Gold, & Silver Plate,
He Likewise Succeeds his Father
Lately Deceased
Who lived at ye corner of Newport
Street, & St Martin's Lane
in ye Art of Making and Setting
Artificial Teeth
No ways discernable from Natural ones
