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A brief history of teeth whitening

As the growth of the request for teeth to be whitened continues, the question comes into play of where this enhancement originally begun.

Through centuries of trial and error, we are at the current age where teeth whitening is a common request and is carried out swiftly, safely and has great benefits.

The Egyptians were known for their various beautification techniques and it was around that time they decided to create a teeth whitening paste from a ground together pumice stone and wine vinegar (whiter teeth marked as a sign of beauty and wealth).  Although the concoction was effective for whitening teeth, it did an immense amount of damage to the teeth – the stone cutting abrasions into the tooth’s thin enamel and the acid from the vinegar would rot away the teeth.

Learning from the Egyptian method, the Romans devised a way of whitening teeth without needing a stone.
Their solution wasn’t any better, however, as they resorted to using their own urine. The ammonia from the urine acted as an effective bleaching agent, although it isn’t advised.

Moving on from the urine method, the Middle Ages through to the Age of Enlightenment would have visited their barbers – who, at the time, were also teeth experts – and would have their teeth filed down in preparation for the application of whitening acid.
Similar to the Egyptian method, the acid was whitening teeth, however, it was simultaneously eroding the enamel away, thus leading to tooth decay.

There was also the issue of ‘chew sticks’, the name given to the chewing of small twigs that would scrape of particles of the teeth.

Fast forward to the current method of teeth whitening, using hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, which was actually stumbled upon.
Either chemical had been used as an oral antiseptic for the gums; dentists developed a gel formula to keep it on the teeth for a longer period of time and discovered the teeth gradually whitening, as a result.
Thus, a safe, smooth way to whiter teeth was born!

Please visit our website to view our range of teeth whitening kits and gels.