Toothpaste, Crest and More Dental Hygiene History

If you've ever looked at a display of antique dental instruments, it can feel like walking through a chamber of horrors. Somewhat less frightening to contemplate, however, are the methods which have been used throughout history in the fight against cavities, bad breath and dental disease. History is rife with what are today considered to be wacky, ineffective or outright dangerous remedies against disease, such as using pure white wine or stale urine for mouthwash. (Both of these were popular in the first century A.D.) Using toothpaste, Crest or otherwise, really seems more pleasant.

Keeping your teeth clean even figured in some religions. Buddha, for example, was recorded as using a "tooth stick" given him by the God Sakka as part of his personal hygiene. Drinking goat's milk to sweeten your breath doesn't sound so bad, but what about the using the ashes from burnt mice, rabbits and wolves' heads as a toothpaste? Crest would be shocked. The oldest known toothpaste formula dates from around 300 A.D., and includes a mixture of rock salt, mint, iris flower and pepper, crushed and combined. It doesn't sound too bad, but modern dentists who tried it reported bleeding gums from the spicy mixture.

As civilizations evolved, toothpaste recipes began to shift from the exotic (1 1/2 ounces dragon's blood combined with cinnamon and burnt alum, anyone?), to ingredients more traditionally medicinal, such as myrrh, honey, sage, charcoal, cream of tartar, mint and clover oil. Those led inevitably to the development of modern-day toothpastes, containing highly-specialized formulas with detergents, foaming agents, preservatives, flavorings and chemicals such as fluoride, aimed at preventing cavities and gum disease.

Toothbrushes, meanwhile, have their origin among the Babylonians, who around 3500 B.C. began using "chewing sticks." These pencil-sized twigs had one pointed end, which could be used as a toothpick, and another end that was chewed until it became frayed and brush-like. Around 1600 A.D., the Chinese developed a bristled toothbrush, using natural bristles taken from the necks and shoulders of hogs.

The first of what we would consider a modern-day toothbrush was developed around 1780 in England, using hog bristles wired into handles carved out of cattle bone.

By the early 1800s, these brushes were in general use throughout Europe and Japan, while the first American toothbrush patent was awarded in 1844, and mass-production of brushes began in 1885. Advancements have followed steadily ever since: nylon bristles in 1938; electric toothbrushes in 1939; the rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961, and the first rotary action electric toothbrush in 1987.

Today, it's easier and cheaper than ever to keep your mouth, teeth and gums clean and healthy by using one of the literally thousands of specialized products on the market today, such as OraMD®. While choosing a product, mouthwash, or toothpaste, crest is often a popular brand. Just be sure to carefully look at the toothpaste ingredient list.