As far back as 3000-5000 BC, ancient Egyptians
were using a tooth cream. This dental cream was comprised of
powdered ashes from oxen hooves, myrrh, egg shells, pumice. They
used their fingers, instead of a brush. Greeks and Romans improved
on the process. Then China and India were using a powder/paste as
well. The Chinese were particularly forward-thinking in adding
flavoring, such as Ginseng, herbal mints, and salt.
Doctors, dentists, and chemists in Britain introduced tooth powders
(or dentrifice) that included abrasive substances like brick dust
and crushed china. Glycerine was added in the early 19th century,
transforming the powders into pastes. In 1892, Dr. Washington
Sheffield of Connecticut invented Dr. Sheffield’s Crème Dentrifice.
It was the first time toothpaste was featured in a collapsible tube.
In 1873 toothpaste was first mass-produced.
Tom and Kate Chappell sought to create their own toothpaste. They
moved from Philadelphia to rural Kennebunk, Maine, and introduced
the first natural toothpaste in 1975. It is still called Tom’s of
Maine