Toothpaste

Toothpaste is a paste used to clean teeth, almost always in conjunction with a toothbrush. It can perform several functions that promote good oral hygiene: it can aid in rubbing dental plaque and food off of the teeth, it can eliminate or mask undesirable breath odors, and it can deliver active ingredients such as fluoride to prevent disease of the teeth and gums. Most people in Western, industrialized countries consider toothpaste a necessity and use it at least once a day.

History

The earliest known reference to a toothpaste is in a manuscript from Egypt in the 4th century A.D., which prescribes a mixture of powdered salt, pepper, mint leaves, and iris flowers. The Romans used toothpaste formulations based on human urine. Since urine contains ammonia, it was probably effective in whitening teeth. http://www.beautyriot.com/article.php?id=2102&c_id=9 An 18th century American toothpaste recipe containing burnt bread has been found. Another formula around this time called for dragon's blood, cinnamon, and burnt alum. http://www.toothpasteworld.com/history.htm

Related Topics:
Egypt - 4th century - Salt - Pepper - Mint - Iris - Urine - Ammonia - Dragon's blood - Cinnamon - Alum

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However, toothpastes or powders did not come into general use until the 19th century. In the early 1800s, the toothbrush was usually used only with water, but tooth powders soon gained popularity. Most were home made, with chalk, pulverized brick, and salt being common ingredients. An 1866 Home Cyclopedia recommended pulverized charcoal, and cautioned that many patented tooth powders then commercially marketed did more harm than good.

Related Topics:
19th century - 1800s - Chalk - Brick - Salt - 1866 - Charcoal

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By 1900, a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda was recommended. Pre-mixed toothpastes were first marketed in the 19th century, but did not surpass the popularity of tooth-powder until World War I. In New York City in 1896, Colgate & Company manufactured toothpaste in the first collapsible tube, similar to that recently introduced for artists' paints.

Related Topics:
1900 - Hydrogen peroxide - Baking soda - World War I - New York City - 1896 - Colgate & Company

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Fluoride started to be added to toothpastes in the 1950s. Countries limit and suggest different amounts acceptable for health. Much of Africa has a slightly higher percent than the US.

Related Topics:
Fluoride - 1950s - Africa - US

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Toothpaste is most commonly sold in flexible tubes, though harder containers are available. The hard containers stand straight up, availing more of the toothpaste and saving shelf space.

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