Laser Teeth Whitening: A Look Back at the History of Teeth Whitening Techniques
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
It has been said that we all smile in the same language. From the very moment men began communicating with one another until today, the smile has meant the same thing. It is a mark of happiness, contentment, joy and pleasure. When one smiles, one provides insight to one's moods and feelings without having to say a word.
The history
Today, nothing defines a smile like white teeth. From pastes to procedures, we go to extreme measures to keep our teeth white, bright and shining. Just like the act of smiling can be traced back to the beginning of humanity, we can also trace the history of teeth whitening from 3000 B.C. to the invention of the laser.
At the root of teeth whitening is an all-important utensil, the toothbrush. While the toothbrush as we know it today, a long-handled bristled brush, wasn't invented until the 11th century, the action of cleaning teeth dates back much farther than this.
In 3000 B.C., the first recorded toothbrush was made using the frayed end of a twig. At this time, the utensils used to clean and whiten the teeth were called ‘chewsticks' and archaeological excavations suggest that a variety of materials were used to make chewsticks including bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills.
From chewsticks, toothbrushes evolved into a dozen different models from the Roman custom of picking the teeth with brass or silver toothpicks after a meal, to the bristled toothbrushes used in China in the 1200s, to rough toothbrushes composed of hog's hair and even rags rubbed in soot and salt. With the discovery of nylon in the late 1930s came the invention of the soft-bristled toothbrushes that we use today.
However, just brushing the teeth and removing bits of food and plaque is not enough to whiten the teeth, hence came the invention of toothpaste, a substance with as lengthy a history as the toothbrush.
Advances in history
In about 2000 B.C., Egyptians rubbed their chewsticks with a type of abrasive toothpaste made from pumice and wine vinegar. Elsewhere in the world, toothpaste has evolved from being made using burnt bread to salt, pepper, and flowers. It is the ancient Romans, however, who receive the award for the most disgusting toothpaste in history! Believing that human urine had teeth whitening properties, ancient Romans used the liquid when brushing their teeth. Modern day dentists have discovered that the ammonia in urine worked to whiten the ancient Roman's teeth. Thankfully, toothpaste can be manufactured with ammonia while leaving out the urine!
Teeth whitening and a hair cut?
In the more recent, yet still primitive days of oral hygiene, barbers would perform dental surgery such as teeth extracting and whitening. To whiten the teeth, they would apply nitric acid, a highly corrosive substance, to the teeth after filing them down. The corrosive properties found in nitric acid led to the corroding of the tooth's enamel and eventually, tooth decay.
One of the final advances in teeth whitening occurred in Italy in the 1800s. Scientists at the time discovered that the addition of fluoride into the oral hygiene routines helped to stave cavities, even if it did leave brown spots on the teeth. In America in 1915, fluoride began being added to water, mouthwash and toothpaste in order to prevent cavities.
Modern laser teeth whitening
Today, teeth whitening has truly journeyed from its more primitive beginnings. It is less drastic, less unhealthy and yields more results. The most common form of professional teeth whitening is performed by means of laser surgery. In a quick, outpatient procedure, which can be performed by most dentists, the patient's teeth are instantly shades whiter.
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Matt Dabomb
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Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 Time: 10:27 PM
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