Dental Care in the Old West

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Hello – Winnie Griggs here. If you were in the path of the latest winter storm, I hope you stayed warm and safe. Here in northwest Louisiana, we had an unusual-for-us amount of snow and ice that brought much of daily life to a standstill.

I took advantage of the downtime to get a head start on this blog. While searching for a topic, I paged forward on my calendar and discovered that today, February 9th, is National Toothache Day (ugh – made my jaw ache just to think about it!). That, in turn, made me wonder how tooth trouble was actually handled by people in the American West.

I mean, I know how it’s usually depicted in Western novels, movies, and television shows. The familiar image usually involves a grimacing patient, a pair of pliers, and a generous dose of whiskey.

But I thought I’d dive deeper, do some research, and see if I could discover just how true-to-life that was. And what I found was that while there is some truth behind that picture, it represents only part of the story. And usually the earliest and roughest part at that. In reality, dental care on the frontier evolved over time, improving steadily as towns grew, training expanded, and access increased. Below is a summary of what I learned.

 

Early 1800s

In the early decades of the nineteenth century, dentistry was not yet a clearly defined profession, especially in frontier regions. Tooth problems were often handled by whoever was available and willing, including physicians, barber-surgeons, or occasionally a well-meaning neighbor or family member.

Extraction was often the only option once pain became severe. Preventive care was minimal, and pain relief was limited to home remedies or alcohol. Many people simply endured toothaches as long as they could, knowing that treatment options were few and often unpleasant.

This era, more than any other, is where many of the grim legends of Western dentistry originate.

 

Mid-1800s

As settlement pushed westward and towns became more established, dental care began to change. Dentistry was becoming recognized as a profession. One thing that surprised me was that traveling or itinerant dentists popped up during this time. Some had formal training, while others learned through apprenticeship or experience, and the quality of care could vary widely.

These itinerant dentists often announced their arrival ahead of time. They would set up temporary offices in hotel rooms or rented storefronts and stay just long enough to treat as many patients as possible before moving on to the next town. Their arrival was often welcome news, since even temporary access to dental care was better than waiting months, or even years, for help.

During this period, people typically tried home remedies first. Clove oil, herbal poultices, and alcohol were commonly used to dull pain or soothe inflammation. Tooth extraction was still common, but it was often delayed until pain became unbearable or infection set in. This is also the period most often depicted in popular culture—and often exaggerated for dramatic effect.

1880–1895

This was a time of real progress for dentistry and it also happens to be the timeframe where I set most of my stories. Dentistry became increasingly recognized as a distinct profession. Dental schools were more established, professional standards were improving, and trained dentists were far more common than many people (myself included!) realize, particularly in larger towns and railroad hubs.

Dental tools had improved, and while procedures were still uncomfortable by modern standards, they were often more controlled and deliberate. In better-equipped settings, anesthetics such as ether or chloroform might be used, though access varied depending on location and resources.

That said, progress was uneven. A resident of a well-connected town might have access to competent dental care, while someone living miles from the nearest rail line could still face long delays or limited options. Toothaches remained a serious concern—not just a matter of discomfort, but a threat to health, livelihood, and daily function.

 

Everyday Reality Across the Frontier

No matter the decade, tooth pain could interfere with nearly every aspect of life. Eating, sleeping, and working became difficult. Infections could spread, sometimes with dangerous consequences. Winter months made matters worse, limiting travel and access to care.

Because of this, dental care, however imperfect, was taken seriously. People feared toothaches not because they were weak, but because they understood the risks of letting them go untreated.

 

A Few Old West Dentistry Tidbits

  • Early telegraph, railroad, and mining towns were more likely to attract trained dentists due to steady populations and income.
  • Many early dentists traveled from town to town, staying only as long as there was enough work to justify the stop.
  • Skilled dentists in the late 1800s often emphasized preservation over extraction whenever possible, reflecting growing knowledge and professionalism.
  • A skilled practitioner could extract a tooth quickly, but accuracy mattered as much as speed—mistakes could lead to serious complications.
  • On the subject of dental hygiene, toothbrushes did exist by the late nineteenth century, though regular brushing wasn’t yet a universal habit. Some people used manufactured brushes, while others relied on cloths, chew sticks, or tooth powders to clean their teeth.

Looking back, dental care in the Old West wasn’t quite as crude or hopeless as I’d always imagined. It wasn’t uniformly primitive, and by the late nineteenth century, real strides had been made—even if access still depended on where you lived. I’ve dealt with toothaches myself – not fun! So what strikes me most is the grit of everyday people who coped with toothaches when options were limited, and the very real gratitude they must have felt when skilled help was finally available.

So there you have it. Did any of this change your previous view of what dental care was like in the old west? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of one of my books.

 

 

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Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.

61 thoughts on “Dental Care in the Old West”

  2. I’m glad to learn that brute force extraction accompanied by a slug of whiskey wasn’t as universal as Western movies have led us to believe!

  4. Sadly for poor families today, tooth extraction is their only option. Dental care is so important for your overall health.

  5. My grandfather was born in 1888 and died in 1983 at 95 years old – with all of his teeth and never owned a toothbrush but swished his mouth daily with a “sip of whiskey”! My Mom always said that they all brushed their teeth with baking soda and not toothpaste – she was born in 1938!

  7. This was really interesting. I hate going to the dentist after a very bad experience when I was 12.

  8. TRUE STORY – I taught 3rd grade for many years. I had a student whose grandmother took care of him. One day, we were talking and she told me she had a tooth ache. I must have noticed her pain. I told her she needed to go to a dentist. This was in the 1990’s, so not that long ago. She told me she had never been to the dentist; that she took care of her own teeth, and if a tooth bothered her too much, she pulled it. I must have looked intrigued, so she told me she took a pair of pliers and pulled her teeth herself. Well, she didn’t have too many teeth left. That’s a true story that I think about often. OUCH!!!!

  9. I am so glad things have change so much in the dental part of life. Trust me when I say I have had my share of toothaches and they are not fun at all. There are a lot of dentist that will not extract a tooth today but will send you to an oral surgeon to have it removed.

  11. In Idaho there is a ghost town called Silver City where I was able to tour the pharmacy. This town is all privately owned, mostly by descendents of the original residents and there’ a lot to see. You can stay at the hotel, built in 1864 on weekends in the summer and it’s great. Good food. Anyway, this pharmacy is wonderful. It’s as if the owner just walked out the door and never came back. The shelves are full of medicine bottles and there are other goods as well. At the back is a dental and eye care office. The old dental chair is still there along with all the tools and a tray of false teeth. The optometrist’s things are all there too. It’s fascinating. I don’t know if it’s open to the public yet but I know the owner intended to open it. It’s a fabulous place to visit. If you want too stay in the hotel, you need to make a reservation in advance. There’s limited electricity and only two bathrooms. No cell phone service and no phone available. Still, fabulous.

  12. I’m glad dental care and hygiene has progressed to the point it is now. I can’t imagine not brushing my teeth everyday!

  14. Just another reason I never liked dentists. I used to black out in the dentist’s chair as I recall. As far as primitive dental care, I can understand the hesitation of most to keep away from an extraction by their methods. No anesthesia! Frightful! Whiskey seemed to be in demand for many purposes. No wonder so many drunks ran around. On the other hand, people withstood pain much better than most modern time individuals.

  15. How glad I am to not be living in those eras! What an interesting read. so thankful we have better oral care options now!

  16. Thanks for the article . I’m glad I didn’t live back then. I’m not a fan of dentists now but glad things are greatly improved.

  17. Even in modern times, going to the dentist is torcher for some people. One of my cousin’s has to be put out to have even a tooth pulled or any kind of dental surgery.
    Thanks for this historical look at Dentistry.

  18. The improvements in oral care as well as other medical care is one of the reasons I would not want to live in the 1800’s. As much as I enjoy historical books and movies, I prefer being able to find a good dentist or doctor when I need one.

  19. Wow, that’s definitely different than the movies, books and television portray dentistry. Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Oh, this makes me think of the western with Don Knotts as a dentist!! I’m glad things have changed since then with dentistry, though I have to say it’s on behalf of friends, since thankfully I’ve only had one cavity in my life! I have a friend with a lot of crowns on her teeth, though!

  22. Very interesting and I am very glad that I live in this era, especially for the Dental health. Have a great week and Thank you for sharing this info.

  24. I’m the youngest of seven children and I remember our oldest brother, who is now 95, pulling our teeth with a pair of pliers. My first trip to a dentist was due to him breaking my tooth off. Not a fun trip.

  25. WOW thanks for sharing all this information. I have always wondered how much of what we see in movies was really real. I am glad that dentistry has progressed to where it is today..

  27. Hi Winnie, Enjoyed your post. Always wondered how they handled tooth problems back then.
    I, like the one where you get drunk… Sometimes, that’s how I feel after going to my dentist now.

  28. Until the Covid-19 pandemic I had great teeth. In the few years since then I’ve been plagued with receding gums, bone loss and cavities appearing faster than I can keep track of them. I have to wonder what the connection is.

  29. We are so lucky we have the dental care we do available today. Cavities can become so painful. Tooth infections are agonizing as they progress and the infections can turn to peritonitis which can be fatal. Not something many of us have to worry about today. There were not as many sweets available back then, so I don’t think cavities were as much of a problem. We take so much for granted. Tooth paste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and the ability to get problems taken care of.
    When you think of the limited options available early on, it is a bit discouraging. The barber/dentist or someone you knew who had a pair of pliers would yank out a problem tooth while others held you down because there was no real way to num it. Getting drunk might help, but what if it was a child? So much could go wrong. A tooth breaking off in the jaw. A root that refused to come out. Bleeding that might not stop. The possibility of an infection. Being down to few or no teeth and no way to get dentures. I am so I glad I live when I do. Thanks so much for an interesting post.

  31. Yes, thank God for modern dentists. I really wouldn’t have wanted to have gone to the dentist back then. I was sick years old with one of my top front teeth broken in half(accident involving my brother) and I had to get a root canal first, then it had to be extracted and sadly it was not a baby tooth.

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