The Mayans adorned their teeth with precious stones

In the ancient Mayan civilization, dental care was not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of oral health. The Mayans used precious stones such as jade, turquoise, gold and jet, which were attached to their teeth as a way of adorning their smiles. Beyond a purely decorative purpose, these dental inlays had supposed therapeutic benefits, such as preventing tooth decay, reducing inflammation and protecting against oral infections.

Contrary to the notion that this practice was reserved for the upper social classes, both men and women from various social strata went to "dentists" in their youth to have gems and precious stones placed in their teeth. These inlays, which lasted forever, not only had spiritual connotations, but the cement used to fix the gems was also suggested to possess hygienic and therapeutic properties.

The sealant used by the Maya was not only notable for its impressive adhesive ability, holding stones in place for over a thousand years, but is also thought to have ingredients with potential to fight cavities and reduce inflammation and infections in the mouth. Archaeologists suggest that this mixture of organic components in the cement did not just function as a simple waterproof glue, but may have provided some additional protection against cavities by fixing small stones into teeth during early adulthood.