Whitening History

Ever wonder how people brushed their teeth in ancient times? The answer is a chew stick, which is a small branch with a frayed end. This remedy dates back to 2000 B.C. when Egyptians used powdered pumice stone and wine vinegar as toothpaste! But what would you say if you could get your teeth whitened and your hair cut at the same time? Fast forward to the 19th century. If you lived in the 1800s, you most certainly could kill two birds with one stone! Barbers in the 1800s mostly pulled teeth but they also whitened teeth. The procedure consisted of blotting teeth with a highly corrosive nitric acid that eventually led to tooth decay. Luckily barbers stuck with what they know best...cutting hair!