History of Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening New York recognizes the universal language-the smile. Everybody knows what a smile means, which is why having a beautiful smile, is so important. Being spoiled with revolutionary advances in dentistry, you would think smiles were always as bright as they are today. You would be surprised at the methods our ancestors used to try and achieve a healthy and attractive smile.
Powdered pumice stone and wine vinegar, the ingredients used in ancient Egyptian toothpaste! In 2000 BC, Egyptians actually used this concoction on a “chew stick” to brush their teeth. All a “chew stick” really is, is a small branch with one end frayed that they would use to scrape off any particles from their teeth. The Romans actually used an even more grotesque method of cleaning their teeth, human urine. There is a component in human urine, which is ammonia that actively cleans teeth. We still use ammonia in many teeth cleaning products today, just in a very different form!
A barber doesn’t sound like the person who could whiten your teeth with much success, but up until the end of the 18th century barbers extracted and whitened teeth on top of giving your hair a trim. Filing down the teeth and applying nitric acid was the procedure they used. It whitened the teeth very well, the only problem was that it destroyed the enamel. This was often painful because no dental anesthesia was available at the time. Thankfully we no longer have barbers to address our teeth concerns, instead we have highly trained professionals to care for our teeth.
In the 1840’s, fluoride lozenges were recommended from European dentists. The positive effects of fluoride on teeth were becoming well known throughout the dentistry field. Over 70 years later, scientists tested fluoride in water and later added it to mouthwash and toothpaste with great success. Fluoride is now one of the toughest fighters for cavities and tooth decay.
Now more than ever people are trying to freshen up their smile. Fast forwarding to the 2000’s, there are numerous ways to whiten your teeth. Take home kits, in office teeth whitening and even whitening toothpaste are ways used to brighten your smile. Among these methods, there is no question the most effective and thorough way to whiten your teeth is having professionals do it for you. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry stated that over the past 7 years, teeth whitening and bleaching procedures has increased over 300%. There is no doubt that a healthier more beautiful smile makes you feel infinitely more confident about yourself. So what are you waiting for, liven up that smile and join the club! Check out our Teeth Whitening New York’s dentist page to schedule an appointment now!