11/15/2024
Since ancient times, people have been trying different ways to clean their teeth and maintain good oral hygiene. Before modern toothpaste and toothbrushes, various methods were used to remove food debris and plaque from teeth. Teeth cleaning twigs known as miswak made from the fibrous twigs of the arak tree were popular among people in the Middle East and Asia for centuries. In ancient Egypt and Rome, people brushed their teeth with powder made from ingredients like crushed eggshells, ashes, and ox hooves. Others used chewing sticks made from wood or fibrous plant materials. Some resorted to more extreme measures like rubbing their teeth with sand or abrasive salts. While these traditional practices helped to some extent, they were not as effective as modern dental procedures and tools. As civilizations advanced and research into dental health care progressed, we have come up with toothpastes, toothbrushes, floss, and other techniques that are more hygienic and efficient at removing plaque and bacteria.