The history of toothpaste

The history of toothpaste dates back at least 5,000 years ago, and is associated with the culture of Ancient Egypt. Dental problems of those times were no different from modern ones - caries, unhealthy plaque, bad breath and various gum diseases. The lack of a toothbrush and paste was not a reason for a person not to take care of his oral hygiene. And, if before the invention of a special brush, clean people most often used their fingers, then our ancestors didn’t put anything in their mouths as a cleaning agent!

How did ancient people brush their teeth?

One of the first mentioned compositions, the exact recipe of which, unfortunately, has not reached our time, included such ingredients as ashes from burnt ox liver, crushed egg shells and pumice with the addition of myrrh and urea. Its authorship is attributed to the ancient Egyptians. The ancient Chinese used even more complex compositions to brush their teeth, but, unfortunately, the composition of the mixture was so sophisticated that the only component familiar to us was salt. Subsequently, various mint herbs and ginseng root appeared in the recipe.

It is known that to prevent problems with gums and teeth in Ancient Rome, it was recommended to rinse your mouth with fresh turtle blood once every few months, and they also tried to relieve toothache with it. And to eliminate the unpleasant odor, they used tree bark, goat's milk and crushed charcoal.

Mentions of other ingredients have also come down to us - crushed corals and sea shells, gypsum, sand, coal, talc, as well as ashes from the burning of the heads of mice and killed wolves, hooves, horns and joints of cattle. To give it all a pleasant smell, rose petals, mint and other pleasant-smelling substances that were not always useless for health were used.

The oldest powder found (not described) was discovered in Egypt. It is a little less than 2000 years old. It was possible to identify salt, pepper and mint in its composition.

Long before toothpaste.

ANCIENTITY AND THE MIDDLE AGES.

With the development of civilization, the inquisitive human mind invented more and more new ways to care for teeth.
Thus, in the written sources of Ancient Egypt, dating back to 5000-3000. BC e., a recipe for a rather suspicious toothpaste is described. It consisted of the ashes of bull entrails, pumice and wine vinegar. According to scientists, the resulting mixture should have been rubbed into the teeth with fingers. But in ancient India, brushing teeth was considered a religious ritual. Buddha, it turns out, was actively promoting not only his teachings, but also... dental hygiene. In particular, he advised using a “teeth stick” from the god Sakka as part of a hygienic godly ritual. The ancient Greek canons of beauty, along with the proportional combination of the forehead, nose and chin, assumed smooth, pearly teeth. Wanting to preserve their teeth in this state, the Greeks used mixtures of ash, stone powder, burnt oyster shells, crushed glass and wool. For rinsing, they took salt water of the Aegean Sea, which helps strengthen the gums. In Indian treatises on medicine as early as 300 BC there are references to oral hygiene products that were used for mechanical cleaning and deodorization of the oral cavity. Basically these were powders prepared on the basis of pumice with the addition of natural acids. Folk remedies used in different countries in ancient times are also widely known: charcoal, gypsum, plant roots, resin, cocoa grains, etc.

The Middle Ages era was not the best time for dental exercises. Purity of thoughts was declared the main priority, significantly displacing the purity of the body, including the oral cavity. It sounds terrible, but Europeans did not brush their teeth for several hundred years, except, however, for the upper class: abrasive powders and special rinses with anise were prepared for them. In England, since the 15th century, barber surgeons have been involved in the treatment and removal of teeth. To remove tartar, they used solutions based on nitric acid, which at the same time dissolved the teeth along with the tartar. Incredibly, this method of treatment was considered obsolete only in the 18th century!

Middle Ages

Then, in the history of toothpaste development, there was a long stagnation. There were no breakthroughs in these troubled and sad times in this direction. The Inquisition was rampant, ignorance flourished, and all kinds of superstitions were very strong. Recipes for oral care products from those centuries sounded strange, to say the least, and sometimes looked like a sentence. For example, the composition of the most popular tooth powder at that time included ground crackers, which were chewed on by a mouse. In Europe, the situation was even worse than the “global average.” Complete unsanitary conditions reigned here, slops poured out right next to the house, washing clothes was extremely rare, and baths were taken only on major holidays, and even then not always. Probably many Europeans of the Middle Ages did not brush their teeth even once in their lives. The only items in use were toothpicks, and special “cleanies” used mouth rinsing after a meal.

History of the origin of toothpaste

Oral health is a fundamental principle for the health of the entire body. This process was headed by Louis XV's dentist, Pierre Fauchard, who recommended that the king regularly clean his teeth of food debris with a wet sponge, replacing the previously used badger hair brush.

At the end of the 18th century, Great Britain, despite its current rigidity in innovation, introduced the world to tooth powder, which changed its composition every year as dentistry developed.

Before this, the first mention of toothpaste in its history dates back to 1500 BC and a mention on ancient Egyptian papyrus, where ancient recipes for toothpastes from 3500 BC were collected. Since dentistry, biology, chemistry and medicine were not sufficiently developed at that time, the composition of toothpastes included “improvised” products, for example, one of the recipes was based on the ashes of the entrails of a bull, crushed eggshells, pumice and myrrh.

Ancient China is also known for its passion for hygiene, it is a pity that of the understandable ingredients, only salt was included in their recipes. Toothpaste owes its developed history to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who devoted a lot of time not only to mythology, but also to beauty, including a white-toothed smile. The Greeks added polishing and abrasive substances to their dental care products, such as talc with and without salt, burnt shells and corals.

All components were ground to a powder or were a powder mass mixed with honey. Honey was added to toothpaste because the Greeks believed in its miraculous properties, which, by the way, as we now know and also believe, is true.

The Romans, in turn, used ground oysters and pearl shells, as well as animal components - burnt bellies and horns of large livestock. The Romans used dried rose and myrrh petals to flavor their toothpaste.

In the Middle Ages, the development of oral care stopped. The history of the origin of toothpastes suggests that at that time superstitions were very strong, the Inquisition was rampant, so the recipes looked, at least, strange and sometimes sounded like a sentence. For example, one of the most popular recipes for tooth powder contained a cracker nibbled by a mouse.

The composition of the other is no less amazing - cuttlefish bones, small sea shells, burnt antlers of male deer and pumice. In total, the tooth powder had to include 9 components, which were carefully ground and poured into a linen bag, thereby providing its owner with an oral care product.

Finally, the 18th century came for cleanliness, when Great Britain gave the world an analogue of the current means.

They were sold in a ceramic container in powder form, and later as toothpaste. Wealthy people used a toothbrush to apply it, and those whose income was low replaced the brush with their finger.

Those products were sold by dentists and chemists who, due to the development of technology at that time, did not know that their preparations contained excessive amounts of abrasive substances that caused irreparable harm to the teeth. They included brick dust, crushed porcelain, clay shards, soap and chalk.

As for the development of oral hygiene in Russia, the famous pioneer Peter I distinguished himself here too. He ordered the boyars to brush their teeth with crushed chalk and a damp cloth. At the same time, another method was practiced among the people - it was known that birch wood coals perfectly whiten teeth, but, of course, after this it was necessary to rinse the mouth especially carefully.

A new turn in the history of the origin of toothpastes occurred in 1853 thanks to John Harris, who proposed using chalk as an abrasive filler for toothpastes.

The history of the development of toothpastes owes an unprecedented rise to this time. All sorts of companies began to emerge whose specialty was oral hygiene. For a long time, pharmacists produced tooth powders by grinding chalk into powder.

In order to give their product a pleasant aroma, they added various finely ground leaves, as well as the fruits of medicinal plants, such as cinnamon, sage and violet. Later they were replaced by essential oils.

Tooth powders were cheap, extremely popular and had no competitors. What they did have were shortcomings. High abrasive properties erased tooth enamel, which became hypersensitive; the powders quickly became contaminated when used and in contact with a toothbrush.

In the mid-19th century, competition began to increase

Then the SS White company released its line of hygiene products - tooth powder, toothpaste, which was in a folding tube, as well as hard tooth soap, which included precipitated chalk, coconut oil, as well as white sugar, soap and flavorings. Their recipe was incredibly popular for a long time and was in use until the end of the century.

At that time, dentists began to advocate oral hygiene. The opinion of the public, which listened to the opinion of experts, generated demand, developing from small retail local trade an entire industry for regular production. Thus, we owe the emergence of the first companies in this field to dentists.

The world-famous Colgate brand was the first to introduce a liquid powder-paste to the American market in 1853, which was in a glass jar. But consumers did not immediately appreciate the new product - the packaging seemed inconvenient.

In 1892, Washington Sheffield, a dentist, invented the first toothpaste tube, and soon after, 2 years later, a pump-fed tube similar to the one we use today was invented.

In 1896, Colgate began producing toothpastes in tubes using its own technology. Thanks to this, the company has gained wide recognition in both America and Europe. Its advantages are hygiene, safety and portability. Toothpaste has quickly become an indispensable personal care product.

At the beginning of the 20th century, hard soap was in use. It was very convenient to use and consisted of neutral soap, chalk and peppermint oil. But it had a negative effect on the oral cavity and turned out to be unviable on the market, and the appearance of the first toothpastes predetermined its fate.

The first toothpastes were a jelly-like paste in which a chalky base was distributed evenly in a thin layer. Starch paste dissolved in an aqueous solution of glycerin was used as a fastening agent. Subsequently, the paste was replaced with cellulose derivatives.

Since time does not stand still, breakthroughs in science and medicine are made every day, and dental care products are constantly being improved. The previously used chalk and calcium carbonate showed their ineffectiveness and faded into the background, giving way to new organically pure and beneficial materials for the body.

Many scientists and leading developers in the field of dentistry have been trying for many years to create a unique oral care product that would be safe to use and effective from a dental point of view, until the decision was made to completely abandon the use of surfactants and sodium sulfate.

When producing natural toothpastes, companies completely abandon the use of any synthetic components, replacing them with plant-based ones that have grown on specially prepared biological plantations and have passed all the necessary organic controls.

The active components of natural toothpastes and powders are substances that have therapeutic, prophylactic and antibacterial effects - extracts of natural components and plant-mineral complexes, oils, propolis and vegetable glycerin.

The action of the mineral components is complemented by the properties of herbs - each of them has a unique property, for example, chamomile reduces inflammation of the mucous membranes, and sage strengthens the gums.

Already now, organically pure and specialist-tested toothpaste is presented in our catalog. Now questions about what natural tooth powder is, where to buy it, and what is the fundamental difference from traditional oral care products are becoming irrelevant. Natural ingredients not only provide a good cosmetic effect, but also have a beneficial effect on the mucous membrane and enamel.

All that remains is to decide whether it will be tooth powder or toothpaste. The online store 4fresh.ru is pleased to finally offer you to start your morning with good and truly high-quality oral care. As before, our principle is only natural ingredients.

4fresh.ru

Oral hygiene products in the 8th-19th centuries

The good work of developing and improving toothpaste began only at the end of the 8th century, although its beginning was not entirely successful. The products of that time could hardly bring anything other than direct harm to the teeth, although in appearance and consistency they already had some similarities with modern analogues.

For their production, ingredients such as broken brick, crushed porcelain and clay were used, and soap was added to bind it all into a kind of paste. It is quite expected that such funds did not find a large number of admirers.

The first good quality toothpaste appeared only in the middle of the 19th century. The basis for it was starch and glycerin, which contained chalk paste in a jelly-like state. And yet, powder remained the main hygiene product for teeth. They packed it in paper bags, which was extremely inconvenient during water procedures.

Excerpt characterizing Toothpaste

- I told you not to let them burn this cog, some kind of machine! - Denisov shouted. – After all, I saw it myself, Lazag’chuk was dragging him from the field. “I ordered, your honor, they didn’t listen,” answered the sergeant. Rostov lay down on his bed again and thought with pleasure: “Let him fuss and fuss now, I’ve finished my job and I’m lying down - great!” From behind the wall he heard that, in addition to the sergeant, Lavrushka, that lively rogue lackey of Denisov, was also speaking. Lavrushka told something about some carts, crackers and bulls, which he saw while going for provisions. Behind the booth, Denisov’s scream was heard again, retreating, and the words: “Saddle up! Second platoon! “Where are they going?” thought Rostov. Five minutes later, Denisov entered the booth, climbed onto the bed with dirty feet, angrily smoked a pipe, scattered all his things, put on a whip and a saber and began to leave the dugout. To Rostov’s question, where? he answered angrily and vaguely that there was a matter. - God and the great sovereign judge me there! - Denisov said, leaving; and Rostov heard the feet of several horses splashing in the mud behind the booth. Rostov didn’t even bother to find out where Denisov went. Having warmed himself up in his coal, he fell asleep and just left the booth in the evening. Denisov has not returned yet. The evening cleared up; Near the neighboring dugout, two officers and a cadet were playing pile, laughingly planting radishes in the loose, dirty soil. Rostov joined them. In the middle of the game, the officers saw carts approaching them: about 15 hussars on thin horses followed them. The carts, escorted by the hussars, drove up to the hitching posts, and a crowd of hussars surrounded them. “Well, Denisov kept grieving,” said Rostov, “and now the provisions have arrived.” - And then! - said the officers. - Those are very welcome soldiers! - Denisov rode a little behind the hussars, accompanied by two infantry officers with whom he was talking about something. Rostov went to meet him halfway. “I’m warning you, captain,” said one of the officers, thin, small in stature and apparently embittered. “After all, I said that I wouldn’t give it back,” Denisov answered. - You will answer, captain, this is a riot - take away the transports from your own! We didn't eat for two days. “But mine didn’t eat for two weeks,” answered Denisov. - This is robbery, answer me, my dear sir! – the infantry officer repeated, raising his voice. - Why are you pestering me? A? - Denisov shouted, suddenly getting excited, - I will answer, not you, and you don’t buzz around here while you’re still alive. March! – he shouted at the officers. - Good! – without timidity and without moving away, the little officer shouted, “to rob, so I’ll tell you... - March to Chog’t at a quick pace, while you’re safe.” – And Denisov turned his horse towards the officer. “Okay, okay,” the officer said with a threat, and, turning his horse, he rode away at a trot, shaking in the saddle. “A dog is dead, a living dog is dead,” Denisov said after him - the highest mockery of a cavalryman at a mounted infantryman, and, approaching Rostov, he burst out laughing. – He recaptured the infantry, recaptured the transport by force! - he said. - Well, shouldn’t people die of hunger? The carts that approached the hussars were assigned to an infantry regiment, but, having been informed through Lavrushka that this transport was coming alone, Denisov and the hussars repulsed it by force. The soldiers were given plenty of crackers, even shared with other squadrons. The next day, the regimental commander called Denisov to him and told him, covering his eyes with open fingers: “I look at it like this, I don’t know anything and I won’t start anything; but I advise you to go to headquarters and there, in the provisions department, settle this matter, and, if possible, sign that you received so much food; otherwise, the demand is written down on the infantry regiment: the matter will arise and may end badly.” Denisov went directly from the regimental commander to headquarters, with a sincere desire to carry out his advice. In the evening he returned to his dugout in a position in which Rostov had never seen his friend before. Denisov could not speak and was choking. When Rostov asked him what was wrong with him, he only uttered incomprehensible curses and threats in a hoarse and weak voice... Frightened by Denisov’s situation, Rostov asked him to undress, drink water and sent for a doctor. - I should be judged for crime - oh! Give me more water - let them judge, but I will, I will always beat the scoundrels, and I will tell the sovereign. Give me some ice,” he said. The regimental doctor who came said that it was necessary to bleed. A deep plate of black blood came out of Denisov’s shaggy hand, and only then was he able to tell everything that happened to him. “I’m coming,” Denisov said. - “Well, where is your boss here?” Shown. Would you like to wait? “I have work, I came 30 miles away, I don’t have time to wait, report.” Okay, this chief thief comes out: he also decided to teach me: This is robbery! - “Robbery, I say, is committed not by the one who takes provisions to feed his soldiers, but by the one who takes it to put it in his pocket!” So would you like to remain silent? "Fine". Sign, he says, with the commission agent, and your case will be handed over to the command. I come to the commission agent. I enter - at the table... Who?! No, just think!...Who is starving us, - Denisov shouted, hitting the table with the fist of his sore hand, so hard that the table almost fell and the glasses jumped on it, - Telyanin! “What, are you starving us?!” Once, once in the face, deftly it was necessary... “Ah... with this and that and... began to roll. But I was amused, I can say,” Denisov shouted, baring his white teeth joyfully and angrily from under his black mustache. “I would have killed him if they hadn’t taken him away.” “Why are you shouting, calm down,” Rostov said: “here the blood is starting again.” Wait, I need to bandage it. Denisov was bandaged and put to bed. The next day he woke up cheerful and calm. But at noon, the regiment's adjutant, with a serious and sad face, came to the common dugout of Denisov and Rostov and with regret showed a uniform paper to Major Denisov from the regimental commander, in which inquiries were made about yesterday's incident. The adjutant reported that the matter was about to take a very bad turn, that a military court commission had been appointed and that with the real severity regarding the looting and willfulness of the troops, in a happy case, the matter could end in demotion. The case was presented by those offended in such a way that, after the transport was recaptured, Major Denisov, without any summons, came to the chief of provisions in a drunken state, called him a thief, threatened him with beatings, and when he was taken out, he rushed into the office and beat up two officials and sprained one's arm. Denisov, in response to Rostov’s new questions, laughingly said that it seemed like someone else had turned up here, but that it was all nonsense, nonsense, that he didn’t even think of being afraid of any courts, and that if these scoundrels dare to bully him, he would answer them so that they will remember. Denisov spoke disparagingly about this whole matter; but Rostov knew him too well not to notice that in his soul (hiding it from others) he was afraid of the trial and was tormented by this matter, which, obviously, was supposed to have bad consequences. Every day, requests for papers and demands to the court began to arrive, and on the first of May Denisov was ordered to surrender the squadron to his senior man and appear at the division headquarters for explanations in the case of rioting in the provisions commission. On the eve of this day, Platov made reconnaissance of the enemy with two Cossack regiments and two squadrons of hussars. Denisov, as always, rode ahead of the line, flaunting his courage. One of the bullets fired by the French riflemen hit him in the flesh of his upper leg. Maybe at another time Denisov would not have left the regiment with such a light wound, but now he took advantage of this opportunity, refused to report to the division and went to the hospital.

First pasta

The year 1873 can be considered a turning point in the history of toothpaste. A certain pharmacist from New York named Colgate decided to eliminate the paper version of packaging and sell tooth powder liquefied in glass jars. In fact, the idea turned out to be so-so, since scooping this jelly-like mass from a jar onto a brush was even more inconvenient, unhygienic and impractical than pouring powder from a bag. However, thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of this pharmacist, his name is very familiar to modern people. About how he managed this - a little further.

History of toothpaste. Who invented toothpaste?

Powder for cleaning teeth was invented in ancient times: in China, India and Egypt, a mixture was made from the ashes of burnt animal hooves and eggshells and pumice ground into powder. This mixture was rubbed into the teeth with fingers. Later in Persia they came up with another recipe: they mixed burnt snail or oyster shells, gypsum grass powder and honey. Real tooth powder appeared at the end of the 18th century. But then it was dangerous for teeth, as it contained porcelain, earthenware or brick dust. Rich people could afford to use brushes; ordinary people applied the mixture with their fingers. Soap was added to the powder in 1824, and chalk in the 1850s. In 1873, they began to make tooth cream - the prototype of modern toothpaste, and also flavored. The first tubes for paste, similar to modern ones, were invented in 1892.

Did you know that: 1. Tooth powder is still used today. 2. After World War II, soap in toothpaste was replaced with other substances. 3. Toothpaste should be evenly distributed along the entire length of the brush.

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First tube

Surprisingly, the dental tube knows exactly its birthday - May 22. It was on this day in 1892 that it was invented by the American dentist Washington Sheffield. More precisely, he did not come up with the tube itself, but the idea of using it.

While thinking about how to conveniently package a hygienic product, the doctor remembered or learned for the first time about a certain artist who, half a century ago, stored his paints in tin tubes to protect them from drying out. After thinking a little about modernizing the packaging, the dentist made an almost modern tube for dental cream, i.e. became the one who invented both toothpaste and modern packaging for it. But who created a thriving industry on it is another question.

News

Mention of dental care and appropriate products is already found in written sources of Ancient Egypt. According to the testimony of ancient chroniclers, about five thousand years ago, the Egyptians achieved pearly white teeth using powder from dry incense, myrrh, kau, branches of the mastic tree, ram's horn and raisins. In the Ebers papyrus, for oral hygiene, only rubbing teeth with onions is recommended, which made them white and shiny; one of the found manuscripts describes a recipe for a certain remedy, which included the following ingredients: ashes of the entrails of an ox, myrrh, ground eggshells and pumice, to Unfortunately, the method of using this remedy remains a mystery. It was on the territory of Egypt that the first “civilized” toothbrushes appeared; the Egyptian ancestor of toothbrushes was a stick with a fan at one end and a pointed tip at the other.

Maintaining oral hygiene was important not only in Ancient Egypt; in India and the Chinese Empire, crushed shells, horns and hooves of animals, gypsum, as well as powdered minerals were used as cleansing compositions; wooden sticks were used, split at the ends in the form of a brush, metal toothpicks and tongue scrapers.

The credit for further improvement of toothpaste itself belongs to two great civilizations in human history - the ancient Greeks and Romans; it was the Mediterranean states that became the cradle of medicine. The first toothpaste recipes date back to 1500 BC. The famous healer Hippocrates (460-377 BC) made the first description of dental diseases and recommended the use of toothpastes. In the second millennium BC. e. already used tooth powder made from pumice with the addition of natural acids - wine vinegar or tartaric acid.

The ancient Aesculapians were the first to learn how to tie loose teeth together and hold artificial ones in place using gold wire. The first lead instrument for removing teeth was invented in ancient Rome. Particular attention was paid to such aspects as fresh breath, to maintain which it was recommended to consume goat's milk. But the effectiveness of some of the recommendations for dental care, such as rubbing the ashes of burnt animal parts (mice, rabbits, wolves, bulls and goats) into the gums, rinsing teeth with turtle blood three times a year, wearing a wolf bone necklace as a dental talisman pain would raise great doubts today.

The history of the development of oral care products after the fall of the Roman Empire remains a mystery until 1000 AD, when oral care instructions found during excavations in Persia date back to this period. These guidelines warned against the use of too harsh tooth powders and recommended the use of antler powder, crushed snail and clam shells, and calcined plaster. Other Persian recipes included compositions of various dried animal parts, herbs, honey, minerals, aromatic oil, etc.

The era of Arabic medicine extended to the period 8-12 centuries. In accordance with the Koran, the Arabs brushed their teeth several times a day according to the established ritual with the help of miswak - a stick of fragrant wood with a split end like a brush and a chital toothpick - from the stem of an umbrella plant, and also from time to time rubbed their teeth and gums with rose oil, myrrh, alum, honey.

In the Middle Ages, dental elixirs came into fashion; they were made by doctors and monks, and the recipe was kept secret. The greatest success fell to the tooth elixir of the Benedictine fathers. It was invented in 1373, but at the beginning of the twentieth century it was still sold in pharmacies.

The famous 16th century surgeon Ambroise Paré recommended careful oral hygiene: remove all food debris from the teeth immediately after eating; it is necessary to remove tartar, as it acts on teeth like rust on iron; After removing stones from the teeth, the mouth should be rinsed with alcohol or a weak solution of nitric acid. To whiten teeth, weak solutions of nitric acid were most often used. Tooth powder, and then toothpaste, which are closest to modern ones, first appeared at the end of the 18th century in Great Britain. Although the powders were formulated by doctors and chemists, they often contained overly abrasive substances that could harm teeth: brick dust, crushed porcelain and clay shards, as well as soap. The dentifrice was sold in a ceramic container in two forms as a powder and a paste. People of good income had the opportunity to use a special brush to apply it, and those who were poorer did it with their fingers. The novelty did not arouse much enthusiasm, and soon in one of the magazines there appeared recommendations from experts not to use these powders, but to brush your teeth once every two weeks with a stick immersed in gunpowder.

In the 19th century, most dentifrices remained in powder form, sold in special small paper bags. Now its goal was not only to remove plaque, but also to at the same time give freshness to the breath, for which various natural additives were mainly used, such as strawberry extract. To make these products more palatable, glycerin was added to tooth powders.

In the 50s dentist John Harris suggested using chalk to make tooth powders, to which plant extracts or essential oils were added. In the second half of the 19th century, work began on the creation of toothpastes. The finest chalk powder was evenly distributed in the jelly-like mass. First, starch was used as a binder, from which a special paste was prepared in an aqueous solution of glycerin. Later, starch was replaced with a sodium salt of an organic acid, which stabilizes the chalk suspension.

In 1873, Colgate introduced a flavored “liquefied” powder-paste in a glass jar to the American market, but consumers did not immediately accept the new product due to the inconvenience of packaging. In 1892, dentist Washington Sheffield invented the toothpaste tube. In 1984, a pump-feed tube was developed much like the ones we use today. In 1896, Mr. Colgate began producing toothpastes in tubes using his own technology, thanks to which both the tube and this paste received universal recognition in America and Europe, as they had not only higher hygiene and safety, but also undeniable household advantages: compactness and portability. With the introduction of packaging in a tube, toothpaste has become a basic necessity for people.

Before World War II, most toothpastes contained soap, although it was known to have many side effects. With the development of chemical technology, soap was gradually replaced by modern ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium ricinoleate.

Not only toothpastes, but also rinses became increasingly popular. They often contained chlorophyll to give a fresh green color. In 1915, extracts from certain trees growing in Southeast Asia, such as eucalyptus, began to be introduced into the composition of the products. “Natural” toothpastes containing mint, strawberry and other plant extracts are also used.

The development of technology has made it possible to significantly expand the spectrum of action of toothpaste. In addition to their main purpose - to clean teeth from plaque and freshen breath - they acquire therapeutic and preventive properties due to the inclusion of special additives. The first extended-release toothpaste appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It contained a therapeutic and prophylactic additive - the enzyme pepsin, which, according to manufacturers, helped whiten teeth and dissolve plaque. The most important discovery of the 20th century in the field of oral hygiene can be considered the introduction of fluoride compounds into toothpastes, which help strengthen enamel. In 1956, Proctor & Gamble introduced the first anti-caries fluoridated toothpaste, Crest with Fluoristat.

But the improvement of paste recipes did not stop there. In the 70-80s, fluoridated toothpastes began to be enriched with soluble calcium salts, which strengthen dental tissue. And in 1987, the antibacterial component triclosan began to be included in toothpastes.

The USSR lingered in the era of tooth powder for almost three-quarters of a century; the first Soviet toothpaste in a tube was released only in 1950. Before this, pastes were sold in tin, and later in plastic jars. True, even in this package, toothpaste appeared on store shelves quite rarely; the undisputed leader in sales was tooth powder, which became so firmly established in the life of Soviet people that it penetrated into areas unusual for its intended purpose. In home economics books of the time, you will find tips on using tooth powder to clean windows, clean canvas shoes, or shine metal utensils. The powder went away following the fashion for canvas. Consumers enthusiastically accepted the new product - a foamy and fragrant toothpaste.

Nowadays, the production of toothpaste is a complex production process, behind which there is numerous research by scientists and the practical knowledge of dentists. The spectrum of their action today is so wide that toothpaste can be used not only as a hygiene product, but also as an important element of drug treatment. Now there are many pastes for various purposes.

According to market research firm Nielsen, toothpastes currently account for 62% of the global dental care market. The most popular of these are anti-caries toothpastes, followed by toothpastes that offer comprehensive tooth protection, as well as whitening toothpastes.

If the trends of the 20th century continue in the 21st century, we will use toothpastes that play an active role in the prevention of diseases of the teeth and gums, have a whitening or other additional effect, do not cause irritation to the mucous membranes and turn brushing teeth into a real pleasure. It is important to remember that each person has his own physiological characteristics, and accordingly, you need to buy not just any toothpaste, but the one that is more suitable for your teeth than others.

Missed opportunity

A New York dentist managed to invent both toothpaste and a tube for it, but didn’t think of patenting it! And, as you know, if the inventor forgets to do this, others do it for him. This is where the cunning pharmacist Colgate appears on the scene again, who understands how promising the idea is and runs to the patent office, where he patents the invention as his own. Having changed only tin to aluminum, his company begins to package many of its products in tubes - creams, soaps, shampoos, etc. But in fact, we are still using the idea of a dentist who is not very enterprising.

Harmless composition of children's toothpaste

When choosing toothpaste for a child, you need to look at the amount of fluoride. This substance is essential for children's teeth, but can be toxic in large quantities. Children from one to four years old need to select a toothpaste with a fluoride concentration of no more than 200 ppm (a unit of concentration that stands for parts per million). For children from 4 to 8 years old, products containing no more than 500 ppm of fluoride are suitable. From 8 to 14 you need to choose a paste with a fluoride content of about 1400 ppm.

You also need to look at the degree of abrasiveness. For children under four years of age, the RDA index should be no more than 20 USD, and for older children - no more than 50 USD. e.

Examples of children's toothpastes:

Rocs Pro Kids.
BioRepair.
Splat baby.

When did toothpaste appear in Russia?

Progress came to Russia much later. From time immemorial, birch charcoal was used to clean teeth in Rus', and mint was used to freshen breath. For the winter it was specially dried for this purpose. By the way, they acted very far-sightedly, because, in addition to a pleasant aroma, mint also has antibacterial properties. In more northern regions and in Siberia, mint was replaced by needles of coniferous trees - cedar, larch, fir. In some areas, cedar or pine resin was preferred. In addition, in Rus', people have always chewed zabrus (a wax cap containing honey cut from a honeycomb).

Everything changed, like many things in our country, with the coming to power of Peter I, who gave an order to brush your teeth with chalk, in the European way. It was applied to the enamel and then rubbed with a piece of cloth. And this continued for more than a century.

They gradually began to add soap and tree resin to the chalk powder, and then borax. At the turn of the 20th century, taste-improving glycerin appeared on the ingredient list. There was no single recipe, each pharmacist was “his own director” and charged a lot for the author’s work, so only wealthy people could afford this product, and brushes specially designed for cleaning.

The paste appeared in Russia 30 years later than its invention, and the Soviet product, packaged in a tube, was half a century late, seeing the light only in 1950 (and almost immediately fell into the category of scarce goods), and even then thanks to the space industry. Active developments were underway in this direction, and brushing teeth in a state of weightlessness with powder was inconvenient not only physically, but also in front of the entire world community. The first paste was called “Pearl” and it was produced specifically for future cosmonauts, as were special tubes of food.

Toothbrush and toothpaste.

RUSSIA, BIRCH COAL.

The Europeans, ashamed of their own untidiness, hastened to follow the example of the scientist. By this time, Russia was already watching Europe through the cut window. I must say that our teeth were always brushed. Even in the most remote corners, the habit of brushing teeth with birch charcoal has been established since ancient times. It was not ground into powder; in the absence of toothbrushes, a piece of coal took over its functions. After brushing your teeth, it was customary to refresh your mouth by chewing a mint leaf (fresh in summer, dried in winter), which, in addition to its pleasant aroma, also has an antibacterial effect. In the northern regions, mint was often replaced with coniferous plants: larch, fir, cedar. And today in Siberia, the use of homemade pine nut extracts for the prevention of periodontitis is quite popular.

Interesting facts about toothpaste

The fact that constant use of whitening paste makes a smile snow-white is a misconception and even a direct deception of manufacturers. It only removes plaque, but with frequent use it damages the enamel and makes the tooth more sensitive and susceptible to caries. The thinnest layer of fluorine is not enough to protect against it.
The first Chinese toothbrush consisted of hog bristles inserted into a split bamboo stick. The device is not only inconvenient, but for some reason it is also very expensive, although there were plenty of pigs and bamboo in China at that time. Only wealthy citizens bought them, while the rest had to be content with a free finger.

The most expensive paste in the world, priced at 50 thousand euros per tube, cannot be bought even by the richest people, because it is intended for one single person - the Queen of England. Its fabulous price is supposedly justified by its completely unique composition, which Elier Cosmetics, its developer, of course, keeps secret.

Among mint, strawberry, banana and other flavors, there are pastes with completely original aromas and tastes - bacon, cucumber, chocolate and even scotch and bourbon.
The Doramund product, produced several decades ago, is recognized as the most harmful product in the history of mankind. It was radioactive, but people still knew little about the terrible consequences radioactive substances cause. There are no statistics on the number of victims.
For those who wanted to disassemble the tube of tri-color paste and see why they do not mix, but did not, we inform you that inside there are three chambers, the contents of which are found only at the neck.

Modern products often repeat the composition of ancient analogues. The only difference is that the current ingredients are obtained in laboratory conditions.

The paste holds its shape due to the sticky and slimy seaweed. Without them, it would simply flow off the brush.

Fluoride and toothpaste.

THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY OF THE XX CENTURY.

In the fifties, the production of toothpastes with fluoride compounds began. This was perhaps the most important discovery of the 20th century in the field of oral hygiene. The first toothpaste with anti-caries effect was the “Crest with Fluoristat” toothpaste released in 1955 by Procter & Gamble. Pastes containing fluoride are considered the most effective today. It is no coincidence that in many countries up to 95 percent of all pastes on sale are fluoridated. The healing properties of fluoride are that it promotes the fixation of calcium ions in hard tissues, makes tooth enamel more resistant to acids and destroys bacteria that cause caries.

Non-traditional uses

It is logical to assume that something that can clean tooth enamel can also clean something else quite well. With this in mind, resourceful people have found many unconventional uses for this oral hygiene product.

The paste perfectly cleans silver, cupronickel, and other metals and even removes stains from carpets and clothes. Many people use it to update their shoes. This works especially well with light-colored sneakers.
A drop of the product will relieve itching from an insect bite, pain from a burn or scratch.
Using it to polish your nails makes them strong and shiny.
Gel analogs are successfully used by girls as a hair styling product.
Rubbing kitchen utensils, baby bottles, or hands with toothpaste can help rid them of unpleasant odors.
It perfectly cleans computer disks, as well as keyboards that have become dirty by hand.
If you wipe the glass glasses with paste and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth, they will not sweat in winter in a warm room, and swimming goggles and masks will not sweat from the inside under water.
Expensive facial products for acne can be replaced with regular toothpaste - the skin becomes cleaner, whiter, and acne scars disappear much faster thanks to the inclusion of the preservative formaldehyde in their composition.

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Compound

Previously, calcium carbonate was used as an abrasive in pastes, but it was gradually abandoned because it is not chemically inert and reacts with other components of the paste. In addition, the crystalline structure of calcium carbonate is close to needle-shaped, which means it is traumatic for tooth enamel. Now it has been replaced by weak abrasive reagents - silicon compounds (aerosil, aluminosilicate, silicon dioxide, silicon hydroxide, dicalcium phosphate).

Surfactants (surfactants) are responsible for foaming the paste. The most common are sodium lauryl sulfate and betaines. The introduction of a surfactant allows you to reduce microdamage to tooth enamel when brushing your teeth to a minimum. In addition, according to numerous sociological studies, most people are adherents of highly foaming toothpastes.

To form a homogeneous consistency, binders are used - agar preparations, pectin, dextran, glycerin, sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

The active components of toothpastes are substances that have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect - aluminum lactate, fluorides, compounds with antimicrobial activity, individual micro-, macroelements and polymineral complexes, extracts of medicinal herbs, enzymes, propolis, etc.

The anti-carious effect is ensured by the presence of fluorides (sodium fluoride, tin fluoride, amino fluoride, monofluorophosphate) and calcium (calcium glycerophosphate) in toothpaste. The anti-inflammatory effect is usually achieved by adding herbal extracts (mint, shavliya, chamomile, etc.) to toothpaste. Whitening pastes contain sodium bicarbonate, or soda, which has a pronounced abrasive effect. It is not recommended to use such pastes every day due to the risk of damage to the enamel. It is usually recommended to use them 1-2 times a week.

Recently, pastes based on sorbents (polydimethylsiloxane, methylsilicic acid hydrogel) have been actively developed. The use of enterosgel in toothpastes allows one to obtain not only a mild abrasive effect, but also a pronounced sorption effect towards microorganisms and an enamel-protective effect. In addition, pastes with sorption action have the ability to absorb odors formed as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms (halitosis). K: Wikipedia: Articles without sources (type: not specified)[ source not specified 2314 days

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Both natural and identical to natural compounds act as flavoring agents. Of the natural ones, the most commonly used aromatic components of essential oils (terpenoids) are menthol, thymol, corvacrol, limonene, squalene, etc. The use of synthetic fragrances allows us to reduce the cost of the final product.

In clinical practice in developed countries, synthetic hydroxyapatite is used as a bone tissue substitute. Reducing the sensitivity of teeth, protecting the surface areas of the enamel, hydroxyapatite has anti-inflammatory properties, adsorbing microbial bodies, and forestalls the development of purulent-inflammatory processes. In addition, hydroxyapatite stimulates the growth of bone tissue (osteogenesis), provides microprocessing of bone and dental tissues with calcium and phosphorus ions, “bricking” microcracks in them. It has high biocompatibility and is devoid of immunogenic and allergic activity. Synthetic hydroxyapatite has very small particle sizes (0.05 microns). Such parameters significantly increase its biological activity, since the sizes of its molecules are comparable to the sizes of protein macromolecules.

An effective additive is triclosan, which acts against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses. The antimicrobial activity of triclosan is based on the disruption in its presence of the activity of the cytoplasmic membrane and the leakage of cellular components of low molecular weight.

Toothpastes also contain urea with components such as xylitol and sodium bicarbonate, which are therapeutic and prophylactic additives. This mixture neutralizes the effects of acids, mainly lactic acid, which is produced by plaque bacteria by fermenting carbohydrates found in foods and drinks. Bacteria produce, although in much smaller quantities, other acids, such as acetic, propionic and butyric. The formation of acids leads to a decrease in the pH of dental plaque: at a pH less than 5.5, the process of demineralization of tooth enamel begins. The longer the duration of such demineralization, the higher the risk of caries. Penetrating into dental plaque, urea neutralizes acids, being broken down by bacteria in the presence of the enzyme urease into CO_2 and NH_3; the resulting NH_3 has an alkaline reaction and neutralizes acids.