Teeth whitening has become very popular in the last few years. Afterall, who doesn’t want to have a beautiful, bright, white smile. But did you know that it has been around for a long time? It’s true! Even before you could find whitening products on the shelf at the supermarket there were people using all sorts of methods to brighten up their teeth. Continue reading to learn more about the origins of teeth whitening and how it evolved into what it is today.
Ancient Egyptian Teeth Whitening
For people of higher status in ancient Egypt, white teeth were of great importance. Whitening teeth was something that fascinated the Pharaohs, and they had their own method of achieving it. Often times, they would use a special toothpaste made from wine-vinegar, pumice stone, and ground oxen hooves. The way people kept their teeth clean back in the day was with a “chew stick.” This was a twig with a frayed end that people would rub against their teeth.
Ancient Roman Teeth Whitening
The ancient Romans would also use chew sticks to brush their teeth and remove plaque. According to old sources, they would use urine to clean their teeth because it contains ammonia and keeps them white. The health and appearance of their smiles were of upmost importance.
European Teeth Whitening
There was a group of Nomadic people who used to clean teeth by using acid and filing them down. Even though this did help to restore them back to white, their enamel would end up damaged and gone. It is no wonder that this method did not catch on.
Modern Teeth Whitening
In the late 1800s, dentists started using chlorine as a way of restoring teeth back to a whiter color. This was a popular method used all across Europe until the early 1900s. At this point, the use of hydrogen peroxide became more popular. In the year 1960, a dentist known as William Klusimer invented peroxide-based whitening agents and they were popular until about 1970. However, when peroxide-based formulas were made stronger, this was too harsh on the gingiva.
All sorts of other techniques were experimented with, including the use of heating lamps. However, heat from these lamps was far too intense and would overheat the dental pulps, the inner layer of the tooth, sometimes causing the need for endodontic therapy. In 1989, carbamide peroxide was introduced as a whitening agent. This treatment was effective and had less negative side effects.
Teeth whitening has come a long way since ancient Egypt. Now, it can be done easily at the dental office or even in the comfort of your own home. With the help of your dentist, you can have incredible, long lasting results.
About the Author
At Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry, you have two well experienced dentists providing quality care to their patients in Orange Park. Dr. Steven Crovatto and Dr. Megan Edwards both earned their Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees from the University of Florida. For more information on teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (904) 272-0800.