14-09-2017, 09:07 AM
Toothpaste is a toothpaste or gel used with a toothbrush as an accessory to cleanse and maintain the aesthetics and health of the teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an abrasive that helps remove dental plaque and food from teeth, helps suppress halitosis and provides active ingredients (more commonly fluoride) to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis). Salt and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) are among the materials that can be replaced by commercial toothpaste. Toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed due to the fluoride content, but is generally not very harmful if accidentally swallowed in small amounts; however, seek medical attention after swallowing abnormally large amounts.
From the 5000 BC, the Egyptians made a powder of teeth, which consisted of powdered ashes of ox hides, myrrh, powdered and burnt egg shells and pumice. The Greeks, and then the Romans, improved the recipes by adding abrasives such as crushed bones and oyster shells. In the 9th century, Iraqi musician and fashion designer Ziryab invented a type of toothpaste, which became popular throughout Islamic Spain. The exact ingredients of this toothpaste are unknown, but were reported to be "functional and pleasant to taste". It is not known whether these first toothpastes were used alone, rubbed on the teeth with rags, or used with early toothbrushes, such as neem tree and miswak twigs. Toothpastes or powders came into general use in the 19th century.
