The practice of teeth whitening is no new kid on the block regarding dental practices. In fact, it didn’t appear in 2011, or 1911, or even 11 AD!
This may be one of the oldest dental practices that still exists today. It is interesting that, although modern humans may not have that much in common with ancient cultures, they all seem to share more visual appreciation for whiter teeth.
Here’s a look at how some humans of the past pursued whiter teeth so you can see just how far the technology has come.
Pursuing Pyramid Building and Pearly Whites in Ancient Egypt
The first stone pyramid was built in 2700 BC, but that was not the only thing the ancient Egyptians were working on. Beautification of the human profile was of great importance and these people saw white teeth as a symbol of virility, wealth, and sensuous appeal.
Pharaohs were fascinated with white teeth, and they used a toothpaste made of wine-vinegar, pumice stone, and ground oxen hooves. The oldest versions of the toothbrush were chewed sticks.
The Ancient Romans Valued a Bright Smile
History suggests that in ancient Rome, people were very concerned about the health and appearance of their teeth. Romans had the habit of using a particular type of chew sticks for brushing their teeth to remove plaque.
According to old documents, these beauty-conscious Romans used to brush their teeth with urine so the ammonia would whiten them.
A Particularly Regrettable Teeth Whitening Technique
At one point in ancient Europe, a group of nomadic people began a “teeth-whitening business.” They used acid to prep the teeth and then filed them down. While thinking they were restoring whiteness to the teeth, surely this was a disastrous destruction of the enamel. It would seem such a business plan could only be used by nomads who didn’t stick around.
Teeth Whitening Progress in the 20th Century
During the late 1800s, dentists across Europe began using chlorine as a bleaching agent for combating the yellowish tinge on teeth. In the 1900s, the use of hydrogen peroxide came into practice. Flash forward to the 1960s, where a dentist invented peroxide-based whitening agents that became wildly popular.
Heat lamps caught on for a time in the 1970s, but they too often caused overheating of dental pulp and that concept understandably burned out. Photon-energy techniques with bleaching lights and lasers came into play, but the science never backed up these methods.
In 1989, carbamide peroxide was introduced as a teeth-whitening agent, and it was an improvement on previous peroxides for its reduction of side effects.
Teeth Whitening Evolves in the 21st Century
After so many attempts and failures throughout history, modern teeth whitening is much more effective. Even store-bought teeth-whitening kits, which have a much smaller timeframe of effectiveness than what your dentist can offer, are far superior to the bill of goods you would have been sold last century for your teeth-whitening needs.
Dentists of today offer either take-home whitening kits, which last longer than store-bought kits, or treatments for in-office whitening – the absolute premier option. Finish in as little as one hour, and the beautiful results can last for an entire year with proper care!
About the Author
Dr. Kathy Lam takes an approach to dental care that is always comfortable, precise, and 100 percent personalized to fit the needs of each patient in the Wheaton area. She met her husband, who is also a dentist, during a residency at Waterbury Hospital Health Center in Connecticut and later became the assistant director of the hospital’s dental clinic. Dr. Lam ensures her skillset is kept current by undergoing continuing education courses each year through Spear. To schedule an appointment for teeth whitening or another service, or if you just need to ask a dentistry question, visit her website or call (630) 653-7720.