Ancient Egyptians invented the world's first toothpaste using rock salt, pepper, mint, and dried iris flowers.

The earliest known record of toothpaste dates back to a 4th-century AD Egyptian papyrus currently housed at the National Library in Vienna, Austria. This document describes a recipe for 'a powder for white and perfect teeth' consisting of one drachma of rock salt, two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried iris flower, and some pepper. This mixture was much more advanced than the dental care used in later centuries, such as the 18th-century practice of using burnt bread or charcoal.Research conducted by dental experts like Dr. Heinz Neuman, who tested the recipe at a dental conference in 2003, found that the mixture was surprisingly effective. While the salt and pepper created a harsh abrasive that could make gums bleed, the iris flower provided a protective effect. Scientists have discovered that iris contains compounds that are effective against periodontal disease, making the ancient formula medically significant.Before the invention of the toothbrush in the 15th century, Egyptians applied this paste using 'chew sticks.' These were small twigs from trees like the Salvadora persica, which were frayed at one end to create bristles. This combination of chemical cleaning from the paste and mechanical scrubbing from the stick laid the foundation for modern dentistry. The inclusion of mint also proves that the concept of 'fresh breath' has been a social priority for over 1,500 years.