Introduction 

Today we discuss about the Toothpaste, History of Toothpaste, The Invention Year Of Toothpaste, The Rise of Modern Toothpaste, The Modern Toothpaste Recipe and Some Supportive Ingredients.

Imagine if I said don’t brush your teeth for one week. Can you live without brushing your teeth? No, Never; we can’t even start our day without brushing then one week is an impossible thought. But, have you ever imagined how ancient people used to clean their teeth? Whether they use toothpaste or Not? If yes, then what kind of toothpaste do they use? When was Toothpaste invented, and who invented it? So, many questions.

We all know now a day’s toothpaste has become a daily need thing in our life. Toothpaste suppresses halitosis and also delivers active ingredients to prevent many dental problems. Fluoride is one of the most essential ingredients in toothpaste. It prevents teeth cavities. Before the 20th century, there was no invention like toothpaste and no awareness about dental health, resulting in caries, gum diseases, gingivitis, etc. The need for toothpaste and dental care started from that point. Still, many people are afraid to use such dental care products regularly; they occasionally use them. After, a decline in tooth decay during the 20th century created a need and attributed to the introduction and regular use of toothpaste. 

History of Toothpaste 

What do you think when toothpaste was first invented?                                                                 

So, let me inform you our ancestors are really brilliant. They are very health conscious and know how to take care of their teeth. You must be surprised by knowing that Egyptians started using powder to clean their teeth in 5000BC. They used powdered ashes of ox hooves, powdered and burnt eggshells, and pumice. Further, in addition to the Egyptian recipe, Greeks and Romans added some abrasives like crushed bone and oyster shells to remove the plaque more efficiently. Chinese and Indians are also graded using natural ingredients like ginseng, miswak, and neem sticks. Toothpaste was introduced in China and India around 500BC. 

China is always ahead in modifications; it developed chewing sticks of some aromatic tree twinges to freshen breath. The first form of dental care product is powder. Till the 1850s, toothpaste was usually powdered. These toothpowders for use with toothbrushes came during the 19th century in Britain. That is mostly homemade with chalk, charcoal, and pulverized brick. The premixed toothpaste was marketed in the 19th century only but could not hold the market till World War I. The first toothpaste, including disinfectants, was Kalymnos.

According to many historians, the oldest formula for toothpaste is a mixture of crushed rocks, salt, dried iris flowers, mint, and pepper to create an abrasive powder used by the Egyptians in 4 AD. As we can see from the ingredients, it leads to an excessive burning sensation in the mouth or can cause mouth ulcers. It can also lead to gum injuries; henceforth, the formula was updated in upcoming years.   

The Invention Year of Toothpaste

There are many conflicts between the exact year and date of invention. But according to data, the first toothpaste resembling what we use today is prepared in the 1850s by the American dental surgeon Washington Wentworth Sheffield. Dr. Sheffield created a ready tooth cream with the mint flavor for his patients. On the other hand, William Nebargall, an inorganic chemist, and Joseph Muhler, a dentist, developed a cavity-preventing product using stannous fluoride. The research was started in 1940 at Indiana University. Still, it became the first toothpaste recognized by the American dental association (ADA) as an effective decay preventing agent after four years.

The Rise of Modern Toothpaste 

Improvements in formulation continued, and till 1900 many kinds of toothpaste with fluorides and many different flavors stood on the market. Other advancements include the low abrasive ingredients, which can prevent enamel damage. Also, the durability, moisture content, and the replacement of soaps with sodium lauryl sulfate form an emulsified paste. Toothpaste has not remained limited to cleaning and preventing bad breath in the evolving world. But also solves many problems like gum diseases, dental caries, and tooth decay. Toothpaste had a long journey of improvement from ancient bone crush to the recent smooth texture, pleasant flavored, and attractive colors. 

The Modern Toothpaste Recipe 

Modern toothpaste includes a variety of ingredients like sweeteners, flavoring agents, coloring agents, antibacterial agents, and many more. The standard elemental composition of toothpaste is the mixture of Fluorides, Detergents, and Abrasives. Let’s, elaborate on some ingredients.

Fluorides 

It is one of the most essential and effective active ingredients in toothpaste. Not only work like an active ingredient in various forms but also prevents cavities. In addition, it shows a very beneficial effect on the formation of enamel and dental bone. One more significant point about fluoride is that stannous fluoride is more effective than the common form.

Abrasives

The major component on which many companies claim to provide 8 hours, 12 hours of plaque-free teeth. Inhibition of tartar accumulation is due to the less accumulation of plaque. Which directly inhibits the leading of gum diseases. The abrasive effect of toothpaste depends on the RDA value. An RDA value above 250 is considered a tooth surface damaging agent. Around 10-20% of toothpaste constitutes abrasive. 

Detergents / Surfactant

In simple words, we can call it a foaming agent, which helps to form foam. It allows the composition to create a stable emulsified product. After replacing soaps with sodium lauryl sulfate after 1945, most of the toothpaste contains SLS as surfactants. Other than toothpaste, SLS has wide use in various products like shampoos, shaving creams, etc. 

Some Supportive Ingredients 

Antibacterial Agents  

In ancient days increasing number of dental diseases like gingivitis leads the use of antibacterial agents in toothpaste formulation. It helps to remove bad breath as well as tartar accumulation. Triclosan or Zinc Chloride is the common antibacterial on which most companies claim “KARE KITANUON KA KHATMA” and many more such taglines. 

Flavoring and Coloring Agents 

It attracts the customers and provides a pleasant smell and refreshing breath. The most common colors for the toothpaste formulation are white or blue. Still, nowadays, you can see toothpaste with glitters, different colors, and stripped bands. All these magical looks are due to different soluble and edible colors. About flavors, today, there is a wide variety of flavors you will find in toothpaste. Most common are peppermint, spearmint, etc. 

Humectants

The last and most important ingredients are maintaining the toothpaste’s humidity, smoothness, and fluidity. Polyols like glycerin, sorbitol, preservatives like sodium benzoate, and some binding agents also play a major role in the stability of the toothpaste.

Nowadays, there are many choices provided by the many leading companies in the selection of toothpaste, including whitening, for sensitivity, bleeding gums, etc. We are very lucky to choose dental care products according to our problems and age.

Stay healthy and safe. Your smile is precious. And also, stay connected with us for more.