The Fun Stuff!
Do you know what is in modern toothpaste?
Well, there’s fluoride to strengthen enamel, a mint flavour to freshen breath and special ingredient to kill bacteria and protect gums. Silicate is added to remove stains. Some toothpastes contain bicarbonate to remove stains too.
Years ago things weren’t so good
5000BC: Egyptians
Ground ox hooves, burnt eggshell and pumice were used to remove dirt and stains. Myrrh was a flavouring!
The Romans
Crushed bone and oyster shells, powdered charcoal and bark were used!1000AD: Persians
Burnt hartshorn, burnt gypsum and animal parts were used to remove dirt and stains, herbs and honey were used to flavour Honey is BAD for teeth! What a funny thing to put in toothpaste!
18th Century
Brick dust, crushed pottery, cuttlefish and bicarbonate of soda were used to remove stains and dirt, sugar and glycerine were used to sweeten. Sugar is bad for teeth!! Some toothpastes today still contain bicarbonate of soda as it is a good stain remover.
Grim/Yuck/gross
Thankfully things are better nowYou can make your own toothpaste.
Ask at home for the ingredients.
You should be able to get a small tub of baking soda/bicarbonate of soda, and food flavourings at the supermarket. Glycerine is often used in cake icing but you have to get it from a chemist.
Take 3 teaspoons of baking soda
Add a pinch of salt
Mix with 2 teaspoons of glycerine.
Add a few drops of mint food flavouring, or whatever flavour you like, one at a time until you are happy with the taste.
Experiment with different flavours.
What happens if you put more glycerine in?
What do you think the salt and bicarbonate do (hint – they are gritty)
Try it on your brush – how does it feel?
It has no fluoride to protect the enamel but should clean your teeth quite well.
Why not make up a name for your toothpaste and design a box, or create an advert/poster?
Send us your designs and you could win a mega prize!!
Kids Club Toothpaste Competition
Other Fun Stuff to download
Kids Club Maze Game
Kids Club Word Search