Ancient Egyptian Toothpaste: A 5,000-Year-Old Smile Secret

Think your minty toothpaste is cutting-edge? Think again. Over 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Egyptians were already brushing up on their dental game—and trust us, their version of toothpaste was not for the faint of heart.

While they didn’t have fancy packaging or influencer endorsements, the Egyptians were serious about oral hygiene. Archaeologists discovered recipes that included ingredients like crushed ox hooves, burnt eggshells, ashes, pumice, and even myrrh—yes, the same stuff you hear about in Christmas stories. Mixed with water, these gritty concoctions helped scrub away plaque and freshen breath… kind of.

Sure, it may sound more like a potion from a medieval apothecary than something you’d want near your mouth, but it was surprisingly effective. In fact, one ancient formula was found to be so powerful that it caused bleeding gums in modern test subjects—talk about brushing with intensity!

The Egyptians weren’t alone in their pursuit of the perfect smile. The Greeks and Romans added crushed bones and oyster shells. The Chinese threw in herbal mints and ginseng. But Egypt? They were the OGs of oral care.

What’s wild is that their dental rituals were driven not just by hygiene, but by culture. A clean mouth was considered essential for speaking truth and honouring the gods. Makes you think twice about skipping your evening brush, doesn’t it?

So next time you squeeze out your minty-fresh gel onto your ultra-soft bristles, take a moment to thank the ancient innovators who paved the way—with hooves, ash, and a whole lot of grit—for your pearly whites.

Fun Fact: The Egyptians also used chew sticks made from twigs to clean their teeth. Who knew ancient smiles could be so ahead of their time?