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Tooth Trivia
Toothpaste Goes Way Back
The activity of keeping the mouth clean dates all the way back to the religious figure Buddha. It has been recorded that he would use
a "tooth stick" from the God Sakka as part of his personal hygiene regimen.
Mummy OH Mummy
In ancient Egypt you were more likely to get a toothache if you were rich. Only the welltodo could afford and ate sweets
(such as honey)! Pharaoh Amenophis III (who lived around 1500 B.C.) suffered from many abscesses which were the result of
rotten teeth. Recent xrays taken of his mummified skull are the source for this information.
In the 1st Century
It was common practice to drink goat's to sweeten one's breath. Ashes from burnt mice heads, rabbits heads, wolves heads, ox heels
and goats feet were thought to benefit the gums. Washing your teeth with the blood from a tortoise three times a year
was considered "insurance" against toothaches. One form of mouthwash was made of pure white wine.
In the 18th Century
The earliest record of toothpaste was in 1780. Oral hygiene included scrubbing the teeth with a formula containing burned bread.
An English prisoner, William Addis, is credited with inventing the toothbrush in 1770. He bored holes in a bone saved from his dinner and then wedged hard bristles, probably from a broom, into the holes. When he was released from prison he became a very successful toothbrush
manufacturer.
In the 19th Century
Charcoal became very popular for cleaning one's teeth. Most toothpastes at this time were in the powder form. Eating succulent strawberries was considered
a "natural" solution for preventing tartar and giving fresh breath.
In the 20th Century
Mouth rinses and toothpastes became more popular. They often contained chlorophyll to add a "fresh" green color. Bleeding
gums became as much of a concern as toothaches. Leaves from certain trees in South East Asia. particularly the Eucalyptus, came
into use as a mouthwash.
We hope you enjoyed this tooth trivia and that you keep in mind that there is nothing trivial about good oral health care and regular dental visits.
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