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About National Toothache Day

International Toothache Day marks the martyrdom of Saint Apollonia, the patron saint of Dentistry in 249 AD. Apollonia was a young virgin Christian woman who was killed in a pogrom against Christians within Egypt. Part of her torture included having all of her teeth pulled out, which is why she is associated with dentistry.

These were the early days of Christianity, before Islam and before Constantine would convert the entire Roman empire to Christianity. It was a dangerous time to be Christian. They were hated and hunted by the Hebrews and Romans. This pogrom against the Christians was started due to an Egyptian poet's prophesy that great harm was to come to the people of Alexandria and the cause would be the Christians, therefore the Christians needed to be eliminated.

At the time of Apollonia, living to the age of 50 was considered old at the time. By the time most people died, many had lost their teeth. Today with modern tooth paste and brushes, not to mention dental care, the teeth most of us retain our teeth into old age. Today is a day to reflect on the importance of Dental health, remember the sacrifice of Apollonia, the cost of judging others by their faith and thank to God for every tooth we still have.

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