ORAL-HYGIENE

When was Toothpaste Invented?

Who Invented Toothpaste From Jar to Tube Fluoride Makes its Debut

Though toothpaste itself may seem like a more modern invention, some form of oral hygiene has existed since as early as 5000 BC. Ancient civilizations would create concoctions of egg shells, dried flowers, and even rock salt to brush their teeth with. However, it wasn’t until 1824, that a dentist named Peabody began adding soap to toothpaste to ensure cleanliness. It’s from here that we can note specifically when toothpaste was invented to keep mouths fresh and clean.

Who Invented Toothpaste

From Jar to Tube

Not long after Dr. Peabody’s invention, sodium lauryl sulfate replaced soap to provide a smooth texture and deliver the foamy action we associate with toothpaste. Decades later, in 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield began putting toothpaste in a tube rather than a jar, leading to the tubes and packaging we all know today.

Fluoride Makes its Debut

Most importantly, 1914 saw the introduction of fluoride to toothpaste, the main ingredient used to fight off cavities. Crest then formulated the only toothpaste containing stannous fluoride that was safe on enamel in 1955. While other brands utilize sodium fluoride, only stannous fluoride is known to treat sensitivity, promote gum health, protect against the effects of acid erosion, and more.