Surprise with teeth whitening technology in the 19th century

People in Europe 200 years ago homemade toothpaste, bleached with acid and encouraged brushing 5 times a day.

Toothpaste in this period was liquid, powdered or used vegetable soap, widely sold at local pharmacies. Some have a flavor or aroma due to a combination of rose, mint or vanilla essence. Others are handmade, containing ingredients such as chalk, camphor or quinine (found in anti-malarial medicine). It is believed that the more abrasive the substance is, the higher the likelihood of teeth whitening.

Paintings of The Dentist (Dentist) by artist Gerrit Van Honthorst.(Photo: Pinterest).

Many people even use charcoal, grind it into a paste and apply it to their teeth. This method was relatively popular in the 19th century. The Mackenzie's Five Thousand Receipts in All the Useful and Domestic Arts (5000 helpful methods by Mackenzie) published in 1860 by Colin Mackenzie mentioned the recipe for ice cream. brush your teeth from coal and honey. In a short span of time, the cream really helps to whiten and brighten teeth. However, in the long run, users get gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Another good option for good teeth is bleaching with oxalic acid. The method was first used in 1830. Oxalic acid is a chemical found in some household cleaners, used to restore furniture. Evaporation of this compound is also present in pesticides. Oxalic acid is sometimes replaced by dilute nitric acid, the chloride found in sodium carbonate, even potassium cyanide (a colorless toxin that can kill within hours in small doses).

The bleaching methods cause significant damage to the teeth and surrounding tissue and are only performed by qualified dentists.

In his book A Popular Treatise on the Teeth , published in 1848, the dentist Mayo Smith mentioned the story of two freelance dentists, traveling through many towns to sell formulas. whiten his teeth. They applied to the villagers teeth an instant brightening solution at an affordable price. Many people who use this therapy believe that their teeth have been thoroughly cleaned.

However, after only a few days, their teeth turned black, became sensitive by eroded tooth enamel and forced to remove. After analysis, the experts discovered the solution the two dentists used was dilute sulfuric acid, one of the most toxic substances in contact with teeth.

By 1873, the press supported regular and proper brushing of the teeth. The book The Teeth and How to Save Them even recommends readers to brush their teeth 5 times a day, in the morning to get up, before bedtime and after 3 meals.

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