When Was Toothpaste Invented? A Journey Through Dental Care History

Toothpaste is an essential part of modern oral hygiene, but have you ever wondered when was toothpaste invented and how it came to be?

The journey of dental care stretches back thousands of years, evolving from rudimentary mixtures to the minty formulas we know today.

The Birth of Toothpaste

In the early beginnings of toothpaste, around 3,000 and 5,000 BC, ancient Egyptians developed a cream containing powdered ashes from oxen hooves, myrrh, egg shells, and pumice, with the purpose of removing debris from teeth. This was one of the earliest forms of ancient toothpaste, a significant step in the evolution of oral health.

Then, some years later around 1,000 BC, Persians added to this burnt shells of snails and oysters along with gypsum, herbs, and honey.

Approximately 1,000 years later, Greeks and Romans added more abrasive ingredients such as crushed bones and oyster shells. It is believed that Romans were also the first to add flavors.

China and India also are part of the history of toothpaste, around the same these civilizations were also using powder or paste to clean their teeth. The Chinese were formulating their own toothpaste with flavors such as ginseng, herbal mints, and salt.

Although these were great advancements in the evolution of toothpaste, there were many issues with them including the level of abrasivity, poor taste, and high cost.

While we may never know who invented toothpaste exactly, these early innovations laid the groundwork for the dental products we use today.

18th & 19th Century

At the beginning of the industrial age, in the 18th century, tooth powders became more common, but there was still plenty of work to do. At this time, doctors, dentists, and chemists were the ones in charge of developing tooth powders with the sole purpose of cleaning teeth. These powders were still too abrasive for teeth, due to ingredients such as brick dust, crushed china, earthenware, and cuttlefish. 

Sodium bicarbonate, popular to this day, was also used as the body for most tooth powders. At the end of the 18th century, borax powder was added to get a foaming effect, a characteristic that is still present nowadays.

Early in the 19th century, glycerin was added to make the powders into a paste and to prevent it from drying out. Strontium was also used at this time and was believed to strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity.

Then, in 1873 Colgate & Co. was the first to mass-produce toothpaste in a jar. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield in Connecticut introduced the first toothpaste in a tube.

20th & 21st Century

In 1914 the toothpaste game was changed by the introduction of fluoride. Although it is unknown when exactly the first fluoridated toothpaste was sold, Crest toothpaste is most likely the first toothpaste with fluoride that was mass-marketed in the world.

Initially, the American Dental Association (ADA) was opposed to the use of fluoride in toothpaste. However, in 1960, the ADA approved fluoride salts, marking a significant milestone that shaped modern toothpaste formulations. By the 1980s, manufacturers had introduced antiplaque agents to control supragingival plaque and anti-tartar agents to further improve oral hygiene.

To get to all the different kinds of toothpaste we have today, manufacturers have gradually worked on improvements to the formula; better fluoride bioavailability, lower abrasivity, better stain removal, and breath freshening.

Additionally, toothpaste in the present day contains a variety of active ingredients to help combat oral disease and conditions and to provide cosmetic benefits, offering the consumer a diverse range of options for their oral care needs.

The Ongoing Evolution of Toothpaste.

From ancient mixtures to modern formulas, toothpaste reflects humanity’s commitment to oral health. Its evolution highlights the importance of science and creativity in meeting ever-changing dental care needs. With ongoing advancements, toothpaste continues to play an essential role in protecting smiles worldwide.