Illustration: stomatologist in the Edo period
What was the treatment of toothache in the Edo period like?
In the Nara period (710 – 794), there was just a single department for the ear, eye and mouth combined. In the Heian period, stomatology (dentistry) became an independent department, creating stomatologists. They performed dental, gum, tongue and throat treatment targeting upper-class people, such as court aristocracy and samurai. Denturists, who came into existence in the Edo period, mainly targeted common people, making denture, treating toothache and pyorrhea and removing a tooth. Antiodontalgics contained substances, such as clove, pepper, alum or frankincense and had a sedative effect.
On top of these, yashi (street performers) performed iai sword drawing or spun a top on the street to attract people and sold items, such as antiodontalgics and tooth powders.