Dr Pulltuski and Waterloo teeth – the grisly origin of Victorian dentures

Before the twentieth century, tooth decay was common but very, very bad news. Amongst 27 London parishes in 1665, actuaries recorded ‘teeth’ as the cause of death in 115 cases in just one week. The consumption of carbohydrates, such as simple sugar is closely linked to tooth decay. From its position as a luxury good, …