St Apollonia, Pray for Me...

As a result of teeth nightmares, I've developed a bit of a fetish. Saint Apollonia ~ The Patron Saint of Dentistry, according to legend, her torture included having all of her teeth violently pulled out or shattered. For this reason, she is popularly regarded as the patroness of dentistry and those suffering from toothache or other dental problems. She is represented in art with a dental pliers in which a tooth is held. "Illustrious virgin martyr, Apollonia, Pray to the Lord for us, lest for our offenses and sins we be punished by diseases of the teeth."


Reliquary containing the tooth of Saint Apollonia, in the Cathedral of Porto, Portugal.

“Eternally omnipotent God, for whose honor blessed Apollonia, virgin and martyr, steadfastly suffered the horrible crushing-out of her teeth, grant Thou as we desire, that we may be made happy in commemoration of her, thru whose most pious intercession we were freed from toothache and all imminent evils. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Toothpaste and Mouthwash via C.O. Bigelow



Coveting this Antique French Vecabé Dental Model Jaw and Teeth

Natural Toothbrushes

Tooth loss dreams generally have negative interpretations. Dreams about teeth falling out symbolize feelings of powerlessness, fear, shame, and abandonment. The most important thing to remember about tooth loss dreams is that they are simply reflections of how they psyche feels; these dreams are not prophecies of the future. Interpreting Tooth Loss as a Dream Symbol



The Tooth Worm as Hell’s Demon”, southern France, 18th Century; This artistically designed ivory carving is contained in a molar, 10.5 cm in height, which can be separated into two halves of equal size. It opens out into two scenes depicting the infernal torments of toothache as a battle with the “tooth worm”. The legend of the “tooth worm” as the cause of toothache originated in Mesopotamia around 1800 B.C. A legend, in much the same sense as that of the Creation, concerning the origin of the tooth worm is to be found in the inscriptions on ancient tablets from 1800 B.C., and from the New Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods of 650 and 550 B.C.
Coveting Victorian Era Porcelain Toothpaste Jars

See also: Holistic Dental Network (cruelty free dentistry)