01/05/2021
Ancient toothpaste was used to whiten teeth, freshen breath, and clean teeth and gums as we use it today. However, the materials were more abrasive and not as hygienic. Some ingredients of ancient toothpaste included grounded-up ox hooves' ashes, burnt eggshells, and pumice. Ancient China used a wide variety of toothpaste ingredients over time, such as ginseng, herbal mints, and salt. Ancient Greeks and Romans' toothpaste ingredients included crushed bones, oyster shells, charcoal, and tree bark.
The development of the kind of toothpaste we're used to began in the 1800s. Before the 1850s, toothpaste was a powder. Early versions in the 1850s contained soap or chalk. Betel nut was included in toothpaste in England around the 1800s too. Later in the 1860s, some homemade toothpaste used ground charcoal, similar to ancient Greek versions.
With the advancement of dentistry and research in the later twentieth century, modern toothpaste was developed to prevent or treat specific diseases and conditions such as tooth sensitivity and tooth decay. Manufacturers created fluoride toothpaste to help prevent corrosion in 1914. Manufacturers and dentists realized abrasive toothpaste ingredients could wear away or damage enamel, so toothpastes with very low abrasiveness were also developed.
Ask your hygienist about toothpaste options and their use in your next cleaning appointment at Richboro Dental Excellence
