Introduction

Toothpaste is a specialized dosage form intended for hygiene, prevention and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity.

Most of us have a “candy-and-gull” lifestyle, so we can safely say that the acidic environment in the mouth is maintained all day long. And the result of prolonged exposure to acid on the enamel and deeper tissues of the tooth, as you know, is caries. Our body, of course, has a natural defense - saliva. The only problem is that the body needs about 2 hours for this protection to work, and here again the seagulls ...

Almost the entire population of the globe suffers from caries, which leads to tooth decay. In Russia, this disease occurs in almost 100% of adults. With the help of toothpaste, an effective cleaning of the oral cavity and a therapeutic and prophylactic effect on its organs are ensured through the use of abrasive, antimicrobial, surface-active bacteriostatic, preservative and other substances.

For the vast majority of people, oral care products are toothpaste, brush, and possibly chewing gum. In fact, this list is much wider, and many need to be used daily to clean your teeth and protect them from disease. To do this, you may need: flosses (dental floss), toothpicks, stimulants, irrigators, rinses, deodorants, plaque staining tablets, tongue brushes, etc.

Toothpaste is one of the most popular oral hygiene products. But according to statistics, the choice of pasta is most often not taken seriously and they buy the one that first came to hand. And if you read the annotations, then absolutely all pastes protect against caries and freshen your breath. Meanwhile, each paste, like each of its consumers, has its own characteristics. Various advertising tricks make people choose certain types of toothpastes. This choice is not always correct.

The main task in this term paper is a study of the quality and safety of preventive and hygienic properties on the example of toothpastes.

General information about toothpastes

The history of toothpaste

The oldest reference to toothpaste is the Bursa Papyrus dating back to 1550 BC, where historians have found medical and dental prescriptions dating back even earlier, up to 3500 BC. It describes various herbal and mineral remedies - wood oil, aloe, onion, cumin, copper greens and others. They were used to make toothpastes. Resin, dough and fat were used as the basis for toothpastes, honey was a binder, flavors were anise and cumin, dates, green oat decoction and sweet beer were used to soften. The toothpaste recipes given in the manuscript are extremely complex, but based on their composition, it can be assumed that the passion for a large number of components is explained more by the desire of the priests to increase self-worth and instill respect for their patients in the art of healing, rather than for reasons of benefit.

In ancient Chinese texts, there are only two formulas, which included salt and flour, and a few other components with strange and unpronounceable names.

Greeks like no other ancient world, attached importance to the physical beauty of the human body and admired it. They were also concerned about the condition of the teeth and maintaining their whiteness, for this they used various abrasive and polishing substances, such as burnt shells, corals, talc, in combination with salt or without it, giving them the form of a powder or paste by mixing various components with honey. The addition of honey was also due to the belief of the ancients in its magical properties. The Greeks approached hygiene in a more civilized way: ancient medicine developed many recipes that included ash, powdered stones, crushed glass and wool soaked in honey. Teeth were cleaned with pumice stone and animal claws /6/.

More recent medicine has recommended dentifrices consisting of the following ingredients: three mice whose heads and fur are burned separately and then mixed with a white stone. This recipe is based on the ancient magic of the sun and ancient superstitions.

Ancient Roman literature contains information about various cleaning and polishing agents, such as ground oysters, pearl shells, burnt belly of cattle and horns of domestic animals, mixed with aromatic additives obtained from dried rose petals or myrrh and prepared both in the form of powders and and paste.

During this period in Europe, superstitions were even wilder. One of the popular recipes of the time was tooth powder containing breadcrumbs gnawed on by a mouse. Other recipes and recipes are no less absurd.

Another method of cleaning teeth in the same period was a combination of cuttlefish bones, small sea shells, pumice, burnt antlers of bucks, walnut alum, mountain salt, cane and iris roots; in total, the composition had to include necessarily nine ingredients. All of them were mixed, ground into powder, placed in a linen bag and used to rub the teeth.

The Middle Ages were not the most favorable time for the development of hygiene. Cleanliness before God was considered preferable to bodily cleanliness, this also applied to the oral cavity. Europeans didn't brush their teeth for an entire era until the eminent Renaissance inventor Anthony van Leeuwenhoek suggested brushing your teeth with salt.

In the seventeenth century, it was believed that tooth enamel was capable of self-healing, so the injury caused by coarse powder would be temporary and could be ignored /6/.

The first significant change came when, in 1824, Peabody proposed the addition of soap to dentifrices.

Thanks to John Harris, who in 1853 proposed the use of chalk as an abrasive filler in toothpastes, a completely new stage in their development has come. Shortly thereafter, S.S. White launched toothpowder, liquid detergent, collapsible tube paste, and hard tooth soap, which consisted of precipitated chalk, coconut oil, white sugar, soap, and fragrance. This recipe was quite popular and lasted until the end of the 19th century.

At the end of the 19th century, dentists widely advocated oral hygiene, the public naturally listened to the opinion of professional specialists, which led to the emergence and development of a new direction in the industry - the industry of toothpastes and powders. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first companies for the production of oral hygiene products were founded by dentists.

But, nevertheless, for quite a long time, pharmacists were engaged in the production of toothpastes, and for the most part tooth powders. They ground chalk into powder, and to give it a more pleasant taste, they added finely ground leaves or fruits to it. medicinal plants, such as cinnamon, sage, violet and others, later they began to be replaced by various essential oils. Powders were very popular for a long time, as they were cheap, and, by and large, there was nothing to compete with them. The high abrasiveness of tooth powders led to the abrasion of tooth enamel and the appearance of their hypersensitivity to external stimuli. In addition, the powders quickly became contaminated during their use, when opened and in contact with a toothbrush /3, p.178/.

At the beginning of the 20th century, for a period, tooth soap was in use, which consisted of chalk, neutral soap and mint oil and was quite simple and convenient to use. But due to the negative impact on the soft tissues of the oral cavity, it did not last long enough on the market. And the appearance of the first toothpastes caused the cessation of the production of tooth soap.

The first chalk toothpastes were the finest chalk powder evenly distributed in a jelly-like mass. Initially, starch paste mixed with an aqueous solution of glycerin was used as a gelling agent. Subsequently, starch was replaced by cellulose derivatives.

It is believed that the regular production of toothpastes in the world began in the late 70s of the XIX century in America. Tubes, similar to modern ones, appeared in the 90s of the XIX century.

The process of evolution of toothpastes is far from complete - some products die off, others live for decades. Progress, the development of science constantly presents us with surprises that allow us to take better and better care of our teeth. Only one thing remains unchanged - the desire of a person to have a snow-white smile and a pleasant smell from the mouth " / 6 /.

The history of toothpaste dates back to the earliest mention in an Egyptian manuscript dating back to the 4th century AD. It consisted of a mixture of powdered salt, pepper, mint leaves and iris flowers.

How did you clean your teeth in the old days?

In Indian treatises on medicine, oral hygiene products are mentioned as early as 300 BC. These were powders based on pumice with the addition of natural acids.

Persians contributed to the improvement of toothpaste. The instructions found warned against using too hard tooth powders. They recommended the use of deer antler powder, crushed snail shells, molluscs, and fired plaster. Persian oral care recipes also included honey, various dried herbs, minerals, and aromatic oils.
The Greeks used a mixture of ash, stone powder, burnt oyster shells, crushed glass and wool. For rinsing, they used salty sea water.

In Russia they mainly used birch charcoal (they didn’t grind coal into powder, it also took on the functions of a toothbrush) and mint leaves (fresh in summer, dried in winter) to give freshness to the oral cavity. Mint also has antibacterial properties. In the northern territories, mint was replaced by needles of coniferous trees (larch, fir or cedar) or pine and cedar resin. In addition, in Russia, people chewed the cut off upper part of the honeycombs (wax cap with honey) - zabrus.

Chewing zabrus helps to clean, disinfect, strengthen teeth and gums in periodontal disease.The beneficial effect is achieved due to the location of peripheral vessels as close as possible to the surface of the gums - the penetration of useful components of honey occurs, enriching the gums with the missing microelements.

Honey mostly consists of simple monosaccharides of glucose and fructose, substances that are ready to enter directly into the bloodstream without additional processing of gastric juices. Also, honey, unlike sugar, does not irritate the gum mucosa and does not destroy tooth enamel.

In Europe brushing teeth and oral hygiene in general, only representatives of the upper class were engaged. To clean the teeth, they used abrasive powders and special anise rinses, made only for them. Since the 15th century, barber surgeons have been involved in the treatment and extraction of teeth in England. To remove tartar, they used solutions based on nitric acid, which, together with the tartar, also dissolved the teeth. This method of treatment was considered obsolete only in the 18th century!

Forerunners of toothpaste

Tooth powder and soap

In the 18th century, the first tooth powder appeared in Great Britain. The first powders consisted of overly abrasive substances (brick dust, crushed porcelain and clay chips) that harmed the teeth. Only wealthy people used a special brush for its application. And the poor did it with their fingers.

At the beginning of the 19th century, glycerin was added to tooth powder to give it a more pleasant taste. At the same time, strontium was introduced into the composition of the powders - to strengthen the teeth and reduce sensitivity.

The recipe for the powders was later changed to charcoal powder, crushed bark, and flavorings (strawberry extract). Sodium tetraborate (borax powder) was used as a blowing agent.

Sodium tetraborate(Sodium tetraborate, "borax", "borax" (from lat. borax)) - an inorganic compound, sodium salt of boric acid.
The substance is familiar to representatives of many professions. has a wide range of applications. Also used as a dietary supplement E-285. As a food preservative is allowed only in third world countries. In European countries and in Russia, it has long been banned for use. This is due to the fact that this substance is not excreted from the human body, it tends to accumulate in tissues, turning into a toxic substance (it belongs to class 4 in terms of toxicity).The main area of ​​application is the destruction of cockroaches.

1824 - Peabody dentist, introduced tooth soap.

It was quite easy to use, consisted of chalk, neutral soap and peppermint oil. However, it required improvements, because. hard soap destroyed the soft tissues of the gums.

1853 - Dentist John Harris suggested using chalk for making tooth powders.

To give the powders a pleasant taste, crushed fruits were added there, medicinal herbs and flowers (cinnamon, sage, violet, etc.).
For a short time, the powders were able to satisfy the public, but due to the large size of the abrasive, they erased tooth enamel. In addition, the ability of the powder to stick together and get dirty due to contact with a toothbrush has become annoying to consumers over time.

1873 - Colgate first introduced "Dental Cream" to the American market- flavored, creamy mass in a glass jar. Consumers did not immediately appreciate the novelty because of the inconvenient packaging.

The first chalk dental creams were thin chalk powder evenly distributed in a jelly-like mass. Starch mixed with an aqueous solution of glycerol was used as a gelling agent. Later, instead of starch paste, sodium salt was used, which was able to stabilize the suspension of chalk.

1892 New London, Washington Sheffield dentist invents the first toothpaste tube.

He got the idea of ​​using a tube from an American artist who, back in the 1840s, kept his paints in tin tubes.
However, Dr. Sheffield did not think of patenting his invention. So when Colgate learned about it, they quickly adopted the packaging practice and became the owner of the rights to this invention.

1896 -Colgate has established mass production of dental cream (toothpaste) in tubes.

The advantages of tube toothpaste are hygiene, safety, and portability, making both tube and toothpaste widely accepted in America and Europe. Toothpaste has quickly become an indispensable personal care product.

Before World War II, most toothpastes contained soap. However, over time, soap began to be replaced by sodium ricinoleate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Toothpaste

At the beginning of the 20th century, the first toothpaste appeared that could freshen breath and clean teeth from plaque. In its composition, it contained a special therapeutic and prophylactic additive - pepsin. Pepsin helped dissolve plaque and whiten teeth.

1915- eucalyptus extracts began to be introduced into the composition of toothpastes. They also began to use "natural" toothpastes containing mint, strawberries and other plant extracts.

1955- Proctor & Gamble introduced the first ever fluoridated toothpaste "Crest with Fluoristat", which has anticaries action. This was the most important discovery of the 20th century in the field of oral hygiene.

1970s- in the production of toothpastes, they began to use soluble calcium salts, which strengthen the tissues of the teeth.

1987- Macleans was the first company to include triclosan, which had an antibacterial effect, in the composition of the toothpaste.

1987. - first developed an edible toothpaste specifically for American astronauts. Such pastes are produced to this day and are intended for children. Swallowable toothpaste is ideal for children as children do not rinse their mouth well after brushing their teeth.

1989- Rembrandt invented the first whitening paste.

1995- Macleans released the first whitening toothpaste for every day - Macleans Whitening.

Today there is a huge number of toothpastes that have a therapeutic and prophylactic effect, do not cause discomfort mucosa and make daily brushing a pleasure.

The evolution of toothpastes is not over! Progress and development of science allow you to take better care of your teeth and choose toothpaste according to price, taste and other features. The desire to have a snow-white smile and a pleasant breath remains unchanged at all times.

• In the USSR, the first toothpaste in a tube was released in 1950. Until 1950, pasta was sold in tin or plastic jars.
• In the USSR, toothpaste was in great short supply. Have been using toothpaste for a long time.
• For a year, a person uses 8-10 tubes of toothpaste 75 or 100 ml.
• most expensive toothpaste Theodent 300, one tube costs 100$ . According to the manufacturer, the paste is unique in that it contains the innovative substance "rennou". This substance from cocoa beans is an alternative to fluoride, it creates a second layer of durable enamel on the teeth. At the same time, it is absolutely safe.
• Today, many toothpastes with unusual flavors are produced in the world: pork, bacon, alcohol (Scotch, bourbon, champagne, etc.), chocolate, dill, eggplant, pickle, etc.
• There are collectors of tubes - tubotelists. The most fanatical tubotelist in the world is considered to be an American of Russian origin, dentist Valery Kolpakov - more than 1800 tubes in the collection. One of the most interesting exhibits of his collection is Doramund radioactive paste. Some time ago, dentists believed that radioactive elements could strengthen gum tissue.
• The most common advertising myth about toothpaste is that you can get rid of plaque in just two days. Even toothpastes with the highest content of abrasive elements will take at least a month to do this. And along with plaque, they usually get rid of tooth enamel ...

A dentist will always help you in choosing a toothpaste and a toothbrush!

I had a toothache in my heart. This is the worst pain, and in this case, lead filling and tooth powder, invented by Berthold Schwartz, work well. The German romantic poet Heinrich Heine was by no means the only one who compared the most severe suffering and in this case we are talking about love with toothache, exhausting and sometimes unbearable.

Nowadays, even young children know that their teeth need to be carefully taken care of and treated in time, and in order for them to remain healthy for as long as possible, they should be regularly cleaned using properly selected brushes and pastes. Most of the inhabitants of the Earth follow these rules and brush their teeth at least once a day. People began to use medical and cosmetic oral care products in ancient times, but the history of modern hygienic supplies began relatively recently.

The first mention of dental care products refers to the civilization of Ancient Egypt. In a manuscript dating from the 4th millennium BC. BC, a recipe is given according to which ingredients such as the ashes of the insides of a bull, myrrh, pounded eggshells and pumice should be mixed. The method of application of the mixture, unfortunately, is not indicated, but scientists believe that it was applied to the teeth or rubbed into the gums with the fingers, since there is no reason to think that toothbrushes had already been invented at that time. And yet, the first similarities of this instrument appeared in Egypt, although later. They were sticks with a small fan on one side and a pointed tip on the other.

Great importance was attached to oral care by Gautama Buddha, who not only shared his religious and philosophical ideas with his followers, but also paid due attention to various practical aspects. Everyday life. His daily hygienic ritual included the use of a kind of "dental stick" and he highly recommended it to his students. In India and China, in addition to wooden sticks split at the ends like a brush, metal toothpicks, tongue scrapers, and powders from crushed shells, horns and hooves of animals, gypsum and crushed minerals were widely used as cleaning agents.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were well aware of what a toothache is. Evidence of this is found by archaeologists tools for removing teeth, as well as skulls with loose teeth, successfully strengthened with gold wire. Antique healers also thought about means of prevention, which suggested, for example, rubbing the ashes of burnt animals into the teeth and gums, rinsing the teeth with the blood of a turtle, or even wearing wolf bone necklaces. In addition, powdered stones, crushed glass, wool soaked in honey, and other exotic ingredients were used.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe put the idea of ​​dental care out of their heads for a long time, but Arab dentists picked up the baton. Following the Qur'an's prescription to brush their teeth several times a day, Muslims used sticks made from fragrant wood with a split end and toothpicks made from stems of the umbrella tree. From time to time, the Arabs also rubbed their teeth and gums with rose oil, honey, myrrh, or alum.

However, it must be said that all such products had a purpose not so much hygienic as cosmetic. It was widely believed that teeth should be white and shiny. And of course, the remains of food stuck between the teeth did not fit into the canons of beauty in any way. Much attention was paid to the freshness of breath.

In ancient Rome, for this purpose, it was recommended to use goat's milk or white wine for rinsing. They eliminated bad breath with incense, rubbing them into the gums. In the Middle Ages, dental elixirs became widespread. The best of them, invented by the Benedictine monks in 1373, was sold until the beginning of the 20th century, and its composition was kept in the strictest confidence.

Of course, often the means used to whiten teeth also acted as hygiene products. Abrasive substances removed plaque, essential oils and other active ingredients had a certain disinfecting effect. But coarse powders, quickly whitening teeth, easily spoiled the enamel, which contributed to the development of caries, stomatitis and other dental ailments. Perhaps this explains the fact that many wealthy people had much less healthy teeth with age than peasants who did not particularly care about the whiteness of their smile. However, with a full set of teeth, very few people lived to old age.

The first to think about the need for daily hygienic brushing of teeth was the Dutch researcher-naturalist, the inventor of the microscope, Anthony van Leeuwenhoek. It is difficult to say for what purpose he once decided to put a wash from his own teeth under the glass of his device. The result unpleasantly surprised the researcher: the preparation was teeming with the smallest creatures of microbes, the honor of discovery of which also belongs to Leeuwenhoek. The scientist wiped his teeth with a cloth of salt and again prepared a flush. There were no microbes under the microscope lens. Impressed by the experience, Leeuwenhoek began to brush his teeth with salt daily and recommended this in his works. And although the taste of salt cannot be called too pleasant, the scientist could not complain about his method, because he lived for 91 years, and his teeth were preserved in excellent condition.

Gradually, the procedure for cleaning the teeth became more common, although salt as a cleaning agent did not stand up to criticism. Only at the end of the 18th century, more than a hundred years after the discovery of Leeuwenhoek, did they begin to produce tooth powder based on crushed chalk. The poor applied the powder to their teeth with a finger or cloth, while the wealthy used toothbrushes.

I. Vercollier. Portrait of A. van Leeuwenhoek. Around 1680

Toothbrush, toothpowder box and tongue scraper. 18th century

The oldest in Europe is considered to be a brush found during excavations at the site of a former hospital in the German city of Minden. The age of the find is estimated at 250 years. Pork bristles are fixed on the bone of an animal about 10 cm long. Several similar brushes were found in the vicinity, so the scientists suggested that a workshop for the production of brushes operated here.

The rapid spread of brushes and the popularization of the procedure for brushing your teeth was also facilitated by the fact that by the end of the 18th century. Europeans began to eat sugar. As you know, refined sugar is one of the worst enemies of tooth enamel. Doctors sounded the alarm, and, not wanting to give up sweets, the inhabitants of Europe learned to carefully monitor the condition of their teeth.

In the dentist's office. Massachusetts, USA. 1917

Toothpastes similar to modern ones appeared almost simultaneously with tooth powder, but at first they were not widely used. The powder was easier to manufacture and more familiar. To make it more pleasant to use, and the breath after brushing your teeth became fresh, for example, strawberry extract or essential oils, as well as glycerin, were added to the powder. However, cosmetics companies have not abandoned the idea of ​​paste, as if they did not trust powders. And not in vain: in the 1920s, it was proved that chalk, being an abrasive substance, can cause stomatitis. Since that time, under the influence of dentists, powders began to be forced out of the market.

The composition of the toothpaste still included chalk, but it was crushed into powder and mixed with the base in the form of a suspension. Initially, starch paste in an aqueous solution of glycerin was used as a binder. Gradually, it was replaced by sodium salts of organic acids, which stabilized the suspension of chalk. The first toothpastes were not in great demand, and this was primarily due to inconvenient packaging. So, the Colgate company failed, in 1873, releasing a paste in a glass jar. And only more than two decades later, when the dentist Washington Sheffield suggested filling tin tubes with paste, Colgate presented its products in a compact, convenient and safe package that immediately attracted customers. In a short time, toothpaste has become an essential item.

Colgate building.

For a long time, soap was one of the main components of toothpaste, but its use in the oral cavity has had numerous side effects. With the development of the chemical industry, modern synthetic ingredients appeared in the composition of pastes, such as lauryl sulfate or sodium ricinoleate. To freshen the breath, perfumes are added to the pastes, such as extracts of eucalyptus, mint or strawberries, and tannins are added to prevent bleeding gums and loosening of teeth. But a particularly important discovery of the XX century. in the field of oral hygiene, it is considered the introduction of fluorine compounds into the composition of therapeutic pastes, which strengthen the enamel. Procter & Gamble introduced the first fluoride toothpaste with anti-caries action in 1956.

Production technologies and the composition of toothpastes are constantly being improved. Currently, there are many varieties of therapeutic pastes containing calcium, antibacterial components, remineralizing and anti-inflammatory supplements. The main concern of the ancient Egyptians is the whitening of teeth. For this purpose, highly abrasive toothpastes are produced, however, dentists strongly recommend not to get carried away with whitening, so as not to damage the tooth enamel.

The production of toothbrushes is no less actively developing. Currently, they are made mainly from synthetic materials. Unlike many other products, a brush made from natural materials loses to a polymer one: synthetic bristles are softer and safer for teeth, and much less microbes accumulate on it. Manufacturers pay great attention to improving the design of their products, making new changes that, according to advertising, improve the quality of cleaning teeth to an incredible degree. In the early 1960s, the first electric brushes with reciprocating motion appeared, and in 1987 a rotating electric brush was put into production. However, dentists are reticent about these popular devices, as it is believed that they drive plaque under the gums and provoke the growth of tartar.

Oral hygiene in the XX century. acquired special significance. The need for daily brushing of teeth has become an axiom. A beautiful smile is an indispensable element of attractiveness as it was thousands of years ago, but now people are concerned not only with the whiteness of their teeth, but first of all with their health. And if reliable remedies for love pain have not yet been invented, then we may well be saved from toothache proper care and means of prevention.

Procter & Gamble company logo.

In the 1950s, Aquafresh developed an original tube that allowed you to squeeze a wonderfully beautiful three-color paste onto your brush. Colored fillers are located in separate cavities of the tube and are fed into the neck through special holes.

Toothbrushes have been used by man since ancient times.

Long before toothpaste.

Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

With the development of civilization, the inquisitive human mind invented new ways of caring for teeth. So, in the written sources of Ancient Egypt, dating from 5000-3000 years. BC e., a recipe for a rather suspicious toothpaste is described. It consisted of the ashes of the insides of a bull, pumice and wine vinegar. According to scientists, the resulting mixture should have been rubbed into the teeth with your fingers. But in ancient India, brushing your teeth was attributed to religious rites, But in ancient India, brushing your teeth was attributed to religious rites, But in ancient India, brushing your teeth was attributed to religious rites. The Buddha, it turns out, was actively promoting not only his teachings, but also ... dental hygiene. In particular, he advised to use a "stick for teeth" from the god Sakka as part of a hygienic charitable ritual.

The ancient Greek canons of beauty, along with a proportional combination of the forehead, nose and chin, assumed even, pearl teeth. Wanting to keep their teeth in this condition, the Greeks used mixtures of ash, stone powder, burnt oyster shells, ground glass and wool. For rinsing, they took the salty water of the Aegean Sea, which helps strengthen the gums. In Indian treatises on medicine as far back as 300 years 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. widely known and folk remedies used in different countries in antiquity: charcoal, gypsum, plant roots, resin, cocoa beans, etc.

The era of the Middle Ages was not best time for dental exercises. Purity of thoughts was declared the main priority, significantly pushing 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, 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 extraction of teeth. To remove tartar, they used solutions based on nitric acid, which, along with the tartar, also dissolved teeth. Incredibly, this method of treatment was considered obsolete only in the 18th century!

Teeth cleaning.

Discovery of Leeuwenhoek.

Brushing your teeth with salt is Leeuwenhoek's invention: Anthony van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch naturalist, microscope designer, founder of scientific microscopy, a member of the Royal Society of London. In 1674, the Dutch inventor Anthony van Leeuwenhoek made two outstanding discoveries simultaneously. He discovered the world of microbes and a way to destroy this very world in his own mouths with the help of salt. Once, under the lens of the microscope he invented, there was a washout from his own teeth, teeming with small creatures. Wiping his teeth with a cloth with salt, he found no microbes on the new flush. After that, he made a vow to practice brushing his teeth with salt for the rest of his life. Leeuwenhoek lived for 93 years.

Toothbrush and paste.

Russia, birch charcoal.

The Europeans, ashamed of their own untidiness, hastened to follow the example of the scientist. By this point, Russia was already watching Europe through a cut window. I must say that we always brushed our teeth. Even in the most remote corners, the habit of brushing your 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 a pleasant aroma, also has an antibacterial effect. In the northern regions, mint was often replaced by conifers: larch, fir, and cedar. And today in Siberia, the use of home extracts from pine nuts for the prevention of periodontitis is quite popular.

Oral hygiene.

Sea sponge by Pierre Fauchard.

As people entered the culture of oral care, people quickly realized that having healthy, clean teeth is much more pleasant than having rotten ones (or not having them at all). Medical faculties began to train specialists in the field of dentistry, and inquisitive minds zealously set about improving the system of preventing dental diseases. The founder of oral hygiene is rightfully considered Pierre Fauchard, the famous Parisian dentist who treated the teeth of Louis XV and the Marquis de Pompadour, Denis Didro and Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Oral hygiene in the 18th century:

Having joined the culture of oral hygiene, people quickly realized that having healthy, clean teeth is much more pleasant than having rotten ones (or not having them at all). In 1723, Fauchard wrote a work on dentistry, in which he devoted an entire chapter to prevention. In it, he advised to clean the teeth daily from food debris with a sea sponge, considering it a much more suitable material for this purpose than the hairs of a badger's hair. The widespread brushes made from these hairs were too soft.

Before toothpaste.

Soap and tooth powder.

Tooth powder, closest to the modern one, first appeared at the end of the 18th century in Great Britain. Wealthy people used a special brush to apply it, while the poor did it with their fingers. But despite the fact that the powders were formulated by medical professionals, they often contained overly abrasive substances that could harm the teeth: brick dust, crushed porcelain and clay chips. To make these products more palatable, glycerin has been added to tooth powders. Later, the recipe for powders was changed - they began to be composed of elements such as charcoal powder, crushed bark and flavorings, such as strawberry extract. Borax powder was used as a foaming agent.

In 1824, the so-called tooth soap was introduced into use. It consisted of chalk, neutral soap and peppermint oil and was quite easy to use. But the fact that it adversely affected the gum tissue required that a replacement be found for him. Having advanced in matters of hygiene, the tidy public demanded improvements. Finally, in the 1850s, John Harris suggested using chalk to make tooth powders. To give powders a pleasant taste, pharmacists added crushed medicinal herbs, fruits or flowers (sage, violet, cinnamon, etc.). Later they were replaced by essential oils. Powders satisfied the public for a short time, but it turned out that due to the large size of the abrasive, they erase tooth enamel. In addition, over time, the consumer began to irritate the property of the powder to stick together and get dirty due to contact with the toothbrush.

First toothpaste.

1873 - Colgate-Palmolive.

After that, 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 on an aqueous solution of glycerin. Later, the starch was replaced with a sodium salt of an organic acid, which stabilized the chalk suspension. In 1873, the American company Colgate-Palmolive introduced the world's first toothpaste - still in a can. But already in 1890, the company first produced toothpaste in tubes similar to those used today. This paste had not only higher hygiene and safety, but also undeniable household advantages: compactness and portability.

Not only toothpastes, but also mouthwashes became more and more popular. They often contained chlorophyll for a fresh green color. In 1915, extracts from some trees growing in Southeast Asia, such as eucalyptus, began to be introduced into the composition of the funds. They also use "natural" toothpastes containing mint, strawberries and other plant extracts.

Whitening toothpaste.

New therapeutic and prophylactic properties.

The development of technology has significantly expanded the range of action of toothpaste. In addition to their main purpose - to clean teeth from plaque and freshen breath - they acquire therapeutic and prophylactic properties due to the inclusion of special additives in the composition. The first extended action toothpaste appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. It contained the enzyme pepsin, which, according to manufacturers, helped whiten teeth and dissolve plaque.

Fluoride and toothpaste.

The most important discovery of the twentieth century.

In the fifties, the production of toothpastes with fluorine 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 action was Crest with Fluoristat, 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 commercially available pastes are fluoridated. Medicinal properties fluorine is that it contributes to the fixation of calcium ions in hard tissues, makes tooth enamel more resistant to acids and destroys bacteria that cause caries.

But the improvement of the recipe of pastes did not stop there. In the 70s and 80s, fluorinated toothpastes began to be enriched with soluble calcium salts, which strengthen tooth tissues. And in 1987, the antibacterial component triclosan began to be included in toothpastes.

The history of toothpaste originates at least 5000 years ago, and it is connected with the culture of Ancient Egypt. The problems with the teeth of those times were no different from those of today - caries, unhealthy plaque, halitosis and various gum diseases. The absence of a toothbrush and paste was not a reason for a person not to take care of the hygiene of his mouth. And, if before the invention of a special brush, clean people most often used their fingers, then as a cleaning agent, what only our ancestors did not drag into their mouths!

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

It is known that in order to prevent problems with gums and teeth in ancient Rome, it was supposed to rinse your mouth with fresh turtle blood every few months, they also tried to relieve toothache. And to eliminate bad smell used tree bark, goat's milk and crushed charcoal.

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

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

Middle Ages

Further in the history of the development of toothpaste came a long stagnation. There were no breakthroughs in these troubled and gloomy times in this direction. The Inquisition was rampant, ignorance flourished, all kinds of superstitions were very strong. The recipes for oral care products of those centuries sounded, to say the least, strange, and at times looked like a death sentence. For example, the composition of the most popular tooth powder at that time included ground cracker, which was gnawed by a mouse. In Europe, the situation was even worse than the "world average". Complete unsanitary conditions reigned here, slops poured out right next to the house, laundry was an extremely rare occurrence, and a bath was 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. Only toothpicks were in use, and special “cleaners” had mouth rinsing after a meal.

Means for oral hygiene in the VIII-XIX centuries

The good deed of developing and improving toothpaste began only at the end of the 8th century, although its beginning was not entirely successful. The means of that time could hardly bring anything to the teeth, except for direct harm, although according to appearance and consistency already had some similarities with modern counterparts.

For their production, ingredients such as broken brick, crushed porcelain and clay were used, and soap was poured into the composition 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, in which chalk paste was contained in a jelly-like state. And yet, powder remained the main hygienic remedy for teeth. They packed it in paper bags, which was extremely inconvenient during water procedures.

First Pasta

1873 can be considered a turning point in the history of toothpaste. A New York pharmacist named Colgate decided to do away with paper packaging and sell toothpowder thinned in glass jars. In fact, the idea turned out to be so-so, since picking up 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 well known to modern man. About how he did it - a little further.

First tube

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

Thinking about how to pack a hygienic product in a more convenient way, the doctor remembered or for the first time learned about a certain artist who, half a century ago, kept his paints to protect them from drying out in tin tubes. Having thought 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 prosperous industry on it is another question.

missed opportunity

The New York dentist managed to invent both toothpaste and a tube for it, but he didn’t think of patenting it! And, as you know, if the inventor forgets to do this, others do it for him. Here again, the cunning pharmacist Colgate appears on the scene, who understands the whole prospect of the idea and runs to the patent office, where he patents the invention as his own. Having changed only tin to aluminum, his company begins to pack many of its products in tubes - creams, soaps, shampoos and more. And in fact, we still use the idea of ​​​​a little enterprising dentist.

When did toothpaste appear in Russia?

Progress came to Russia much later. From time immemorial, birch charcoal was used to brush teeth in Russia, 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 species - cedar, larch, fir. In some areas, preference was given to cedar or pine resin. In addition, in Russia, people always chewed zabrus (a wax cap cut from honeycombs with honey).

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

Soap and tree resin were gradually added to the chalk powder, and then borax. At the turn of the 20th century, the flavor-enhancing glycerin appeared on the ingredient list. There was no single recipe, each pharmacist was "his own director" and took expensive work for the author's work, so they allowed themselves this product, and even brushes specially designed for cleaning, only non-poor people.

Pasta 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. There were active developments in this direction, and brushing your 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 released specifically for future astronauts, as well as special tubes of food.

• The fact that the constant use of whitening paste makes a snow-white smile is a delusion 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 prone to caries. The thinnest layer of fluorine is not enough to protect against it.
• The first Chinese toothbrush was a pig bristle inserted into a split bamboo stick. The device is not only uncomfortable, but for some reason 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.

Even the richest people cannot buy the most expensive pasta in the world at a price of 50 thousand euros per tube, because it is intended for one single person - the Queen of England. Its fabulous price is allegedly justified by a completely unique composition, which Elier Cosmetics, which is its developer, of course, keeps secret.

• Among mint, strawberry, banana and other flavors, there are pastes with completely original aromas and flavors - bacon, cucumber, chocolate, and even scotch and bourbon.
• The Doramund product, manufactured 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 that radioactive substances cause. There are no statistics on the number of victims.
• For those who wanted to take apart a tube of three-color paste and see why they do not mix, but did not, we inform you that there are three chambers inside, the contents of which are found only at the neck.

Modern tools often repeat the composition of the ancient counterparts. The only difference is that the current ingredients are obtained in the laboratory.

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

Unconventional use

It is logical to assume that something that can clean tooth enamel can clean something else well. With this thought in mind, resourceful people have found many ways to use this oral hygiene product in an unconventional way.

• Silver, cupronickel, other metals are perfectly cleaned with paste, and even stains from carpets and clothes are reduced. Many people use it to update their shoes. This is especially cool with light-colored sneakers.
• A drop of the product will relieve itching from an insect bite, pain from a burn or scratch.
• Use for polishing nails makes them strong and shiny.
• Helium analogues are successfully used by girls as a hair styling product.
• Rubbing kitchen utensils, baby bottles, or hands with toothpaste can help rid them of bad odors.
• It perfectly cleans computer disks, as well as the keyboard that has become dirty from the hands.
• If you wipe the lenses of the goggles with a paste and then wipe them dry with a soft cloth, they will not sweat in the winter in a warm room, and swimming goggles and masks - with inside under the water.
• Expensive face products for acne can be replaced with regular toothpaste - the skin becomes cleaner, whiter, and acne scars disappear much faster due to the inclusion of formaldehyde preservative in their composition.

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