Despite our common view of people from olden times with black and pitted teeth – or indeed, no teeth – there is evidence that the ancients took oral hygiene seriously. The basic design of the toothbrush has never really changed – it still consists of a handle, with something bristly at one end with which the teeth are cleaned. The Greeks and Romans used twigs, sometimes fraying one end to allow the cleaning implement to get between the teeth. However, it is the Egyptians who are credited with inventing toothpaste, almost 5,000 years ago. The first formula was a mix of powdered ashes of ox hooves, burnt eggshells and pumice, but they improved the recipe over time. An Egyptian papyrus dating from around the 4th century recommended using rock salt, mint, dried iris flower and pepper to make a ‘powder for white and perfect teeth’.
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