Teeth whitening has a surprisingly long history, dating back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used a paste of ground pumice stone, salt, mint, iris flowers and wine vinegar to clean and brighten their smiles. They believed white teeth symbolized beauty and status. Later, the Romans used powdered bones, oyster shells, charcoal and bark to scrub their teeth. They even reportedly experimented with urine (containing ammonia) as a bleaching agent! In the Middle Ages, Europeans used burnt bread, salt, powdered brick and eggshells to clean their teeth. Some reports note that often they included honey in their pastes – enhancing the flavor perhaps but certainly hindering their efforts to decrease decay potential. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, barbers and early dentists used metal files and occasionally acidic solutions to scrape away tooth stains. All of these remedies very well may have stripped the teeth of stain, but undoubtedly, they damaged the enamel in the process!

Modern whitening began in the late 20^th century when dentists discovered that peroxide-based compounds, originally used to treat gum disease, could safely and effectively lighten teeth. Today, whitening methods range from professional in-office treatments to at-home kits, with emphasis on safety and minimizing tooth sensitivity. Typically, their mechanisms of action are chemical as opposed to mechanical; they are treating the stain as opposed to abrading it away.

If you’ve been interested in a whiter, brighter smile, now is the time to ask your dentist about whitening options!