The Art of Smiling – Dental Journal

I’m lucky, I have no doubts. A few weeks ago, under the suggestive headline “The Art of Smiling,” I received an email from Lacer, to celebrate half a century of its commitment to oral health, A group of health professionals and journalists invited for a closed guided tour of the Prado National Museum.

One of them, a resident of the outskirts of Madrid, is accustomed to going places with time – sometimes excessive – to avoid the unforeseen events that may arise from wanderings in large cities.

On this occasion, to take advantage of a wonderful afternoon in Madrid, I decided to spend my spare time taking a stroll around the famous art gallery, going to the Parish Church of San Jerónimo el Real or the Stock Exchange building, which allowed me to realize, once again, the wonders it has to offer us A city which, too often, we either don’t know about or underestimate. So are we.

With such a wonderful taste in my mouth, I go to my “appointment” where, in addition, I meet good colleagues and friends from the sector. longer thing. And to wrap the braid, On the guided tourillustrative works of some of the most common oral problems throughout history have been selected, We have contributions from a Doctor of Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry and History, as well as an expert in art, Javier Sanz Cirola.. Additional bonus. Thus, he was responsible for sharing historical anecdotes and ideas regarding oral health.

Among the paintings selected for the visit, Picture “Maria Luisa Parma”, the wife of Charles IV, as it can be seen that she lost almost all of her teeth as a result of the many pregnancies which she had suffered, and knocked out her teeth which caused her excruciating pain; s “toothpick”in which the figure of the dentist can be seen using the pliers to extract the tooth, along with the hammer protruding from the ground, revealing the rudeness of clinical practice at the time.

But, as stated in the title of the call, the analysis of the smile of the chosen characters was the focus of the visit. In this way, we also stopped at Adam’s painting – With its breakers separated – and eve – With a sweet and delicate smile – Prepared by Albrecht Dürer; Raphael’s work entitled “cardinal”a picture that draws attention, in addition to the smile of its hero, of his eyes that follow you around the room; “Garden of earthly delights” Bush and Eva’s strange gesture or smiles “Las Meninas” velasquez or “The Three Blessings” Robbins.

Remarkably, as a common denominator It’s hard to find smiles in classic paintings. Among the theories of this absence, according to various studies, is the difficulty of reflecting and maintaining it in working sessions that can last for several days, or the different cultural and historical meanings that the gesture carries depending on the moment.

photography and cinema, Arts who – which They put the human smile firstDown to the present time where the image culture is obsessed. Social networks become shop windows full of beautiful smiles and shining, apart from some considerations–that there are, and many–, Reflects the importance that society attaches to good oral health. Let’s stay with that.