De dentium affectibus

VII.

That no nerve, by whose aid sensation is otherwise communicated to parts, is implanted into the very substance of the teeth (as some have falsely opined), the autopsia direct visual examination of dissection clearly demonstrates.

IIX.

And furthermore, reason itself convinces us that it is not safe for a soft body of very quick sensation, such as a nerve, to be entrusted and joined to a very hard, bony body, whose contact it could not easily bear without pain; and that for this reason, Nature has everywhere studiously avoided this, is evident to anyone considering these things for themselves.

IX.

From all of which I believe it is undoubtedly clear that the teeth of themselves, and in themselves, do not feel at all; but nonetheless, they can stir up pain, just as nails driven into a sensitive part, or even warts fixed to the skin, even though they feel nothing, nevertheless seem to bring discomfort and seem to sympathize in a certain way.

X.

The primary duty which they perform in the body is to serve for mastication, which is set before the digestion of food like a certain rudimentary process.

XI.

But they also seem to contribute to forming the voice more aptly and harmoniously: this is proven by the fact that those who have lost their teeth, especially the front ones, are perceived to speak with more difficulty and to lisp or, rather, whistle. Hence, the common hemistich among Greek poets: ποῖόν σε ἔπος φύγεν ἕρκος ὀδόντων what kind of word has escaped the barrier of your teeth?

XII.

Moreover, since mastication, which is their chief operation, is not done in one and the same way, therefore they did not all receive the same exquisite form from Nature, especially at the base.