Although you have been brushing your teeth for years, probably with different types of toothpaste, you may not know the history of it and how it’s evolved over the years. Today’s blog showcases the history of toothpaste, so please read further.
Toothpaste goes back to Egyptian times, about 5000 B.C. when they started using a paste to clean their teeth – even before toothbrushes were invented or dentists! Ancient Greeks and Romans used toothpaste, and people in India and China, began using it around the year 500 B.C. Toothpastes of ancient origins were used similar to how we use it now. They wanted to keep their teeth clean, fresh, and whitened.
Ingredients in ancient toothpaste are different than what we use today. For example:
– The powder of ox hooves’ ashes and burnt eggshells were combined with pumice for Egyptians.
– A more abrasive toothpaste made from crushed bones, and oyster shells were used with the Romans and Greeks. The Romans also added flavoring, such as powdered charcoal and bark.
– Ginseng, herbal mints, and salts were also used, among other ingredients, as a choice of paste for the Chinese.
It wasn’t until the 1800’s when early versions contained soap, with the 1850’s introducing chalk. Betel nut was included in toothpaste in England, around the same time. In the 1860’s, ground charcoal was a home-made toothpaste mentioned in the encyclopedia. Prior to the 1850’s, toothpastes were typically made with powders. Créme Dentifrice was first developed in 1873, with Colgate being the company who mass produced it in jars. The tubes came out in 1890’s, and as they say, the rest is history.
As you can see, toothpaste has changed over the years, but still just as important. At the office of Oneco Dental Care, we would love to discuss oral hygiene, including the right toothpaste in Sarasota, Florida. Contact our dental team at 941-751-4900 for an appointment with Dr. Askowitz and Dr. Peralta.
