History of Toothpaste
Tonight, when you’re flossing and brushing your teeth, consider yourself lucky: You get to use mint- or cinnamon-flavored toothpaste. In the past, people concocted some gunk made from oxen hooves or sand.
When was toothpaste invented?
Our modern oral hygiene with toothpaste, toothbrush and floss began only in the 1950s, not very long ago. But the quest for a clean mouth dates back at least 5,000 years.
Around 3,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians developed a dental paste made of oxen hooves, myrrh, eggshells, pumice and water. Talk about legacy: A pumice mixture is still used today by dentists and dental hygienists to professionally clean and polish your teeth.
The early Chinese were said to apply ground fish bones to their teeth for the same purpose, and the ancient Romans and Greeks allegedly used crushed bones and oyster shells. Arabs evidently tried fine sand during the Middle Ages, and the Europeans experimented with table salt. It all sounds quite tough on the tooth enamel.
It wasn’t until the late 1700s that the first modern toothpaste appeared, usually homemade. Some used burnt bread among the ingredients or dragon’s blood, a natural, dark red plant resin...
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When was toothpaste invented?
Our modern oral hygiene with toothpaste, toothbrush and floss began only in the 1950s, not very long ago. But the quest for a clean mouth dates back at least 5,000 years.
Around 3,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians developed a dental paste made of oxen hooves, myrrh, eggshells, pumice and water. Talk about legacy: A pumice mixture is still used today by dentists and dental hygienists to professionally clean and polish your teeth.
The early Chinese were said to apply ground fish bones to their teeth for the same purpose, and the ancient Romans and Greeks allegedly used crushed bones and oyster shells. Arabs evidently tried fine sand during the Middle Ages, and the Europeans experimented with table salt. It all sounds quite tough on the tooth enamel.
It wasn’t until the late 1700s that the first modern toothpaste appeared, usually homemade. Some used burnt bread among the ingredients or dragon’s blood, a natural, dark red plant resin...
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE