Toothbrush Toothpaste

Toothpaste is essential to promoting good oral hygiene since it serves not only to rid the mouth of food, dental plaque and odor, but also delivers ingredients like fluoride which, in turn, prevent tooth and gum disease. Fluoride began to be added to toothpastes in the 1950s as it was thought to help prevent cavities. Back in 1900, however, baking soda (made into a paste by adding a little hydrogen peroxide) was recommended as a form of toothpaste. While pre-mixed toothpastes were marketed in the 19th century, it was not until World War I that pre-mixed forms out-sold powder forms. Colgate & Company first manufactured paste in a collapsible tube not unlike artists' paint tubes. Although toothpaste is most commonly found in tubes, it can be purchased in harder, upright containers. The variety of flavors improves the monotony of teeth brushing, ranging from a common mint to anise, apricot, cinnamon, ginger, orange and the child-friendly bubblegum.