13 "Old School" Dental Instruments That Will Make You Glad You Weren't Around Back Then

If the sound of the modern dental drill sends shivers down your spine, try the sound of two pieces of wood rubbing together with a strand of leather used to hollow out your teeth with no anesthetic. While today's dental devices can creep out the most hardened individuals, yesterday's dental instruments can even make dentists wince. From a cocaine-injecting crank-syringe to a pliers that, when twisted to extract a tooth, sometimes accidentally broke the patient's jaw, the blog of Dental Assistants Schools has 13 of the creepiest  "old school" dental instruments. If any of these tools scare you, be aware that modern dental instruments pale in comparison. With virtually no pain and very little discomfort, Tulsa dentist Dr. Larry James, D.D.S. and his experienced dental staff can perform many cosmetic and restorative dental procedures to have you showing off your smile at every opportunity. Experience all the comforts of modern technology from dentist Tulsa trusts to deliver quality family dentistry at the office of Dr. Larry James, D.D.S. 

Why Hitler Rarely Smiled

Adolf Hitler, possibly pouting over an
upcoming dentist appointment.

During World War II, one of the most sought after bits of information the Allies wanted about Adolf Hitler, the megalomaniacal leader of the Third Reich, in addition to his whereabouts and plans for the future were his dental records. While the Allies were not particularly concerned about whether or not the dictator had been flossing every day, the Fuehrer's dental records were one of the only ways they would be able to accurately identify his remains in the event of his demise. Fortunately for them, Hitler had a secret that would end up helping them in the long run: Hitler was terrified of going to the dentist. 


When most think of Adolf Hitler, the tyrannical supreme chancellor of Nazi Germany, they usually don't think of a guy who was scared of going to the dentist. According to a medical review of Hitler's dental records in addition to notes from his personal dentist, Johannes Blaschke, Hitler was terrified of going to the dentist and evidence of this could be seen in his mouth. Additional reports claim that Hitler would start crying before he ever got to the dentist's chair. According to a story from Daily Mail, Hitler had his dentist extend a relatively routine root canal procedure to take 8 days because "he couldn't stand the pain." The dentist reported that Hitler had "terribly bad breath, abscesses and gum disease" and that he had to fill ten cavities in his mouth in 1944 alone. His dentist attributed the terrible state of his teeth to a very poor diet early in life in addition to a failure to keep up with his personal oral hygiene.


With advances in dental technology, there is no longer any reason to fear the dentist's chair. Still, the very best way to help limit your time in the dentist's chair is by regular brushing, flossing, and a recommended dental cleaning with exam every 6 months. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Larry James, D.D.S., and stay on top of top of your dental health.


Here is a special message from Dr. Larry James, D.D.S. regarding this topic: 


"My father fought in WW II. My godparents were Russian Jews. My godfather was son to the last candymaker to Czar Nicholas. This is an interesting point from history.  We can't ignore the past, even when it's unpleasant. However, we can lose any sympathy for this man having abscessed teeth."



For a look at a drawing Hitler's dental records, click here. Disclaimer: it isn't pretty. 

Dental Sealants

Though regular brushing is still the most successful means of removing particles of food and plaque accumulation that can result in tooth decay, it can still be quite difficult to remove such debris from the tight crevices in the chewing areas of some rear teeth. One recommended way of helping prevent any damage that can be caused by this accumulation is by having sealants put on the teeth. Sealants are a form of plastic that is applied to these areas and then hardened with a curing light. When a layer of sealant is applied, it is largely invisible and does not effect the bite of the individual. The application and curing of sealants is a very quick and easy procedure that can be done in the course of a regular appointment and does not require any form of anesthesia because it is completely non-invasive. For more information, read through this article from WebMD that can answer any questions you might have. To make an appointment to have your teeth cleaned, inspected, and possibly have sealants applied, log on to the website of Dr. Larry James D.D.S. and enjoy continued dental health.

Tulsa Dentist | Dentists Tulsa | Teeth Whitening | TMJ

Type in a simple internet search for Dentists in Tulsa and you will receive hundreds upon hundreds of results.  Don’t just trust any of these people with your dental care, trust Dr. Larry James, D.D.S. For more than a decade, Dr. James has been providing patients in the Tulsa, OK area with personalized and professional dental services including cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening, dental surgery, TMJ treatment and other general dentistry procedures for more than 20 years. We also specialize in preventing tooth decay through proper dental hygiene practices and tooth extraction. We are not just cosmetic dentists.    Dr. James and his staff have created a relaxing dental office where you can relax knowing you are in good hands. Caring for your teeth is important, which why our dental clinic can help work with you on dental insurance.

There are a variety of conditions we can treat and procedures we can perform to help with your dental hygiene and dental care. TMJ is a condition of the jaw joints that can cause pain and discomfort chewing and eating. Dr. Larry James is able to provide non-invasive TMJ treatments that can help alleviate and correct the pain of the condition.

Tooth whitening has become incredibly popular recently as the desire for whiter, healthier looking teeth has grown. As an expert cosmetic dentist Dr. James can provide you teeth whitening treatments. Almost all of our patients see an improvement in the color of their teeth.

Along with Dr. James’ cosmetic dentistry experience in his dental clinic, he can also perform dental surgery such as wisdom tooth extraction.

Dr. James and his staff strive to make their dental office a welcoming and comfortable environment. As one of Tulsa’s respected dentists you can be sure that our dental offices will be inviting and professional, whether you are coming in for cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening, pediatric dentistry, dental surgery or simple dental hygiene appointments to prevent tooth decay. Trust your dental care with us at our dental clinic. We accept several types of dental insurance. Call us today at 918-665-0015 or visit http://www.drlarryjames.com.