Very little attention was paid to cleaning the teeth.  Toothbrushes were considered a luxury for the wealthy and men that cleaned their teeth with toothbrushes were accused of being feminine.  A gentleman might have a morning shave, have his wig powdered, and have his teeth polished at the barbershop.  Common people cleaned their teeth by pouring tooth powder on a rag and rubbing it on their teeth.

Toothaches were common and most housewives had a home remedy for a toothache.  Many charlatans traveled from town to town selling toothache "cures".  Colonists were fearful of medical and dental practitioners because they were superstitious.  Only when they were in pain would they seek the services of a tooth-drawer, a barber, or a blacksmith to remove a painful tooth.  Many people owned a tooth key to remove a tooth in an emergency, (continued.)