An Ancient Parasite of the Imagination
Long before bacteria were linked to tooth decay, civilizations across the globe blamed a sinister culprit: the tooth worm. This imagined parasite was believed to bore into teeth, gnawing roots and sucking blood, causing unbearable pain.
For millennia, the theory persisted, shaping how people understood dental disease and leading to a range of chants, charms, and rudimentary treatments aimed at driving the worm out. From Babylon to Europe, the myth endured, unchallenged by science until the dawn of modern dentistry.
From Cuneiform to Caries
One of the earliest known records of the tooth worm appears on a Babylonian cuneiform tablet known as “The Legend of the Worm.” This mythic narrative describes how the gods created a worm that begged to live in human mouths, where it would feed on blood and roots.
The worm dismissed offerings of fruit and instead requested to dwell in gums and teeth. This account, likely dating to the first millennium BCE, formed the basis for centuries of belief in an invisible, burrowing invader behind toothaches and dental decay.
Global Reach and Cultural Rituals
The tooth worm theory was not isolated to Mesopotamia. Variations of it appeared across cultures. The ancient Central American text, the Popol Vuh, refers to similar parasitic afflictions. In Sri Lanka, a traditional Sinhalese charm was recited to expel the worm: “Worm of the sun-god! Worm of the moon god!…
Stay not in the tooth, thou tooth-worm!” Even into the 18th century, European physicians sometimes described toothaches as evidence of worms. When tooth pulp was extracted—especially when necrotic—it could appear stringy or curled, further fueling the myth.
Science Ends the Reign
It wasn’t until the 1700s that Pierre Fauchard, considered the father of modern dentistry, began disproving the worm theory through microscopic investigation. His work marked a turning point, moving dentistry toward empirical science.
Still, the myth held on in popular belief. In 2009, researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore conducted micro-imaging on a dissected molar and observed worm-like structures inside. While they were not actual worms, such shapes may have contributed to the persistence of the myth. These structures remain unexplained, but they underscore how compelling ancient observations can be—even when misinterpreted.
Before germs were blamed for toothaches, many believed in the tooth worm—a creature thought to bore into teeth, suck blood, and cause pain.
This belief shaped dental practices across civilizations for centuries, from ancient Mesopotamia to 18th-century Europe…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/wkyZ6mkH3c
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) June 13, 2025