A History of Teeth Whitening, from Ancient Rome to Today

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments that there is, and that has a lot to do not just with the number of people who are interested in brightening their smile, but in the remarkable efficacy of the treatment.

However, while the demand has always been there, whitening treatments haven’t always been as sophisticated as they are today. There’s a long history that has brought this treatment to where it is now. If you’re curious, here’s a little bit more information around where teeth whitening came from, and how it developed over time.

Ancient Teeth Whitening

Humans have been taking care of their teeth for a very long time, but archaeologists estimate that the practice of actively pursuing a brighter smile began around 4000 years ago in ancient Egypt. White teeth were considered a sign of wealth, so Egyptians would use a whitening paste made of ground pumice and wine vinegar to change the color of their teeth.

The ancient Romans had a similar practice, although they made use of a less appetizing substance—urine. The ammonia in urine can whiten teeth, though it’s easy to see why the practice hasn’t survived.

Early Modern Teeth Whitening Techniques

While these techniques had some degree of effectiveness, it wasn’t until the last few hundred years that we’ve started to see developments similar to what we would recognize as contemporary teeth whitening.

In the 17^th century, oral healthcare was the realm of barbers. They had a rudimentary understanding of the teeth along with the hair, though their care was often considerably less gentle than a modern dentist’s. To whiten teeth, these barbers would file down enamel and coat it with acid. While effective, this significantly eroded the enamel and led to profound sensitivity.

It wasn’t until the early 19^th century that the effects of fluoride on the teeth began to be understood, which contributed to an overall rise in the quality of oral health (and whiter smiles for the average person).

The Contemporary Development in Teeth Whitening

Today, teeth whitening is done by layering a hydrogen peroxide solution onto the teeth. While this mild acid has been used to disinfect the gums for a very long time, it’s capacity to whiten the enamel wasn’t well understood until the late 80s. Now, people from all walks of life can benefit from the power of safe and incredible whitening treatments.

About Our Practice

Welcome to Chester County Dental Arts! We know that some dentists seem to take joy in making their patients feel bad, but we pride ourselves on taking a “no shame” approach to dentistry, where we commit to helping you without making you feel bad about your teeth. This philosophy, along with our remarkable clinical expertise, has earned us generations of loyal patients.

If you have any questions about teeth whitening, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (610) 383-1600.