Showdown at the Dental Corral

When you think of the old west, you probably think of saloon, gunfights, cattle rustling and sheriffs. You probably don’t think of dentists. But have you ever heard of Doc Holliday? He was a gunfighter, and became famous for his involvement in the shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881. Ever wonder where he got the nickname “Doc”? He was a dentist, who earned his DDS degree in 1872.

So there were dentists in the old west, but how did people take care of their teeth? Many of them didn’t. If someone did get a toothache, they might just have the tooth pulled. If they were lucky, they might get a dose of opium to dull the pain, although usually, they may have just had more than a few drinks to make the whole thing a little easier. Even then, there was chance that the dentist might pull the wrong one! In many cases, people just decided to “cowboy up” and tough it out until the pain became unbearable.

Life is easier today, and the science of dental medicine has grown by light years since the 1800’s and 1900’s. Today, dentists can spot a cavity or other oral problem before it becomes serious. Treatment is proactive, and thanks to modern pain-management practices, the patient won’t feel a thing.

Seeing our dentist, Dr. Duke Kim for your regular checkups and exams, and brushing and flossing on a regular basis can make sure that you have a healthy smile. If you would like to schedule your appointment at Ballston Dental Arts in Arlington VA, call (703) 291-3111 today!