There are a ton of little things that make our daily lives easier that we don't really think all that much about. Toothpaste is one of those things. Without it, the general public's health would be highly compromised as a result of an increase in periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other oral health complications. Thankfully, we have an inexpensive solution that allows us to spend a few minutes each day preventing a lot of pain and anguish. We just have to develop a healthy routine and stick to it.
This week's blog post is dedicated to the often-overlooked history of the simple little invention that helps protect your health in so many different ways.
History of Toothpaste
According to Colgate, a company that just so happens to know a little bit about toothpaste, Egyptians were the first people known to use toothpaste around 5000 B.C. Many early iterations of toothpaste were made from powdered ox hooves, ashes, and eggshells combined with pumice. When the ancient Greeks and Romans started using their version of toothpaste, they added crushed bone and oyster shells to make it more abrasive. The ancient Chinese were known to use ginseng, herbs, and salt to improve the taste and effectiveness of their version of toothpaste.
The more modern concept of toothpaste began its development in the early 1800s. Some companies used chalk, betel nut (fruit of the areca palm tree), and ground charcoal in their formulas. It wasn't until 1873 that Colgate began the mass production of toothpaste. Their first toothpastes were actually sold in jars! Tubes didn't come along until the 1890s.
Fluoride toothpastes were introduced in the early 1900s, and today we have whitening toothpastes, special formulas for sensitive teeth, and special formulas for cavities, bad breath, and to prevent plaque buildup. The range of toothpastes available today compared even to what you could get just 200 years ago is almost mind-boggling. In the field of oral healthcare, we've come a long way in a relatively short period of time.
Thanks for Reading!
As you perform your due diligence this week in the fight against tooth decay, try to think about all the years of human evolution and development, civilization, and culture it took to bring you your shiny teeth, fresh breath, and healthy mouth—without any ox hooves or oyster shells. If you enjoyed our post, please like us on Facebook and help us spread our words about good oral health!