Within the framework of anthropological and medical research of skeletal remains of the Sweerts-Sporck noble family, preserved dentitions of five individuals were examined. A detailed investigation of the teeth revealed the lesions of dental hard tissues at four individuals. Dish-shaped lesions profiles were observed at three individuals that have lived in the time-span between 16 th and 18 th centuries. In the fourth individual, who had lived in 19 th century, only wedge-shaped lesions profile was found. Based on macro- and microscopic features of lesions, we suppose that they were formed due to practiced oral hygiene. There is no evidence of lesions with wedge-shaped profile in the period before the first toothbrush has been invented. Our finding fully corresponds to this fact and supports the theory that improper toothbrush use is responsible for the origin of this abrasion pattern.

        Key words: oral hygiene – wedge-shaped lesions – arteficial abrasion