10 Terrifying Photos Show the Early Days of Dentistry

The history of dentistry indeed reveals some downright terrifying practices. For centuries, dentistry was the work of skilled laborers, not highly-trained doctors. Many dental procedures were carried out by barber-surgeons, medical practitioners who shaved monk’s heads and used their expertise with a blade to make a profit out of surgical procedures as well.

People frequently had their teeth pulled with no pain-killers. Furthermore, many supposed dentist would pull out teeth for any toothache-related issue, even if the infection causing the pain had already spread to the gums.

And as the history of dentistry moved into the 20th century and things started looking more like they do today, the tools and procedures grew no less disturbing.

So if you think going to the dentist today is scary, these photos show how tooth extraction was terrifying from the late 19th century to early years of the 20th century.