Believe it or not, toothpaste has been used by humans for thousands of years. While the formula has certainly undergone some revisions since its first recorded use in 5000 BC, the fact that ancient Egyptians cleaned their teeth is quite remarkable. The history of toothpaste is full of interesting concoctions and advances.
The History of Toothpaste
According to Spear Education, “The world’s oldest-known formula for toothpaste was created by Egyptians. They crushed rock salt, mint, dried iris flowers and pepper and mixed them together to create a cleaning powder.” This toothpaste was so rough that it even made people’s gums bleed! It sounds gross, but the Egyptian’s recipe was actually one of the most effective toothpastes prior to 1900.
Ancient Toothpaste Recipes
Other populations in history had their own recipes for toothpaste. The Greeks and Romans, for example, used crushed bones and oyster shells to polish their teeth, while the Chinese used ginseng, herbal mints, and salt (Colgate). In the 19th century, Britain popularized the use of tooth powders for use with toothbrushes. Common ingredients in this powder included chalk, pulverized brick, salt, and charcoal (Wikipedia).
Turn of the Century Toothpaste
Continuing on in the history of toothpaste, it wasn’t until the late 1800s and early 1900s when the classic paste consisting of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, packaged in a tube, became the mainstream form of toothpaste. Fluoride was first added to toothpaste around this time; however it didn’t become approved by the American Dental Association until the 1950s.
Modern Toothpaste
Today, when you walk down the toothpaste aisle, you may be overwhelmed by all of the options available. Whether you’re looking to whiten your teeth while you brush, protect teeth from sensitivity, or deep-clean plaque, there’s no doubt you will find something to meet your needs. Toothpaste has really come a long way over the years. Next time you need some motivation to brush your teeth, just think about how lucky you are that you don’t have to brush with ancient tooth powder!
About Dr. Wolnik
Dr. Wolnik firmly believes that a healthy mouth leads to a happier life. At his practice in Parma Heights, Ohio, Dr. Wolnik offers general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services and educates patients about how to maintain a healthy smile. To learn more about what Dr. Wolnik can do for you, contact our office today!
Phone: (440) 888-5055
Email: [email protected]
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