Scientists Studied 3,000 Viking Teeth And Discovered Surprisingly Advanced Dentistry

06 January 2024
ByDAVID NIELD

A new analysis of Viking-era teeth – dating back around a thousand years – has given us some interesting insight into the dentistry of the time, which looks to have been more advanced than previously thought.

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the Västergötlands Museum in Sweden looked at a total of 3,293 teeth from 171 of the Nordic marauders, including both kids and adults.

Modern-day dentistry assessments were carried out on the teeth, including the use of X-ray scans and dental probes, and it turns out that these Scandinavians didn't just leave their teeth to rot and decay.



Modern-day scanning equipment was used to study the teeth. (Carolina Bertilsson/Henrik Lund)

"There were several signs that the Vikings had modified their teeth, including evidence of using toothpicks, filing front teeth, and even dental treatment of teeth with infections," says Carolina Bertilsson, an odontologist from the University of Gothenburg.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-studied-3000-viking-teeth-and-discovered-surprisingly-advanced-dentistry