A Museum That Will Make You Smile

By Jill Feilmeier on March 27, 2014 in Just for Kicks

If you ever find yourself vacationing in the Washington, D.C. area, take a break from the usual tourist traps to brush up on your dental knowledge at a fun little stop in Baltimore.

The National Museum of Dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, the world's first dental school, is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that has a little something to make everyone smile.

Those who like a historical perspective will gain insight into how great leaders once handled their dental hygiene. This includes a look at the instruments Queen Victoria used to clean her teeth and the lower half of George Washington's ivory dentures.

From the museum's impressive collection of cartoon character toothbrushes to the world's only “Tooth Jukebox” that plays vintage videos with the push of a tooth, kids will get a kick out of the creatively curated items, too.

Art lovers will enjoy the world's most comprehensive collection of dental advertising poster art. Other items of interest include the first earned dental diploma from 1841, a ninth-century stained glass image of St. Apollonia – patron saint of dentistry and a variety of toothbrush designs throughout history.

The museum is open to visitors by appointment only.