When you think of the grandeur of ancient Rome—its sprawling empire, architectural marvels, and rich culture—you probably don’t picture its citizens brushing their teeth. But oral hygiene was definitely a thing, even two thousand years ago! So, how did ancient Romans brush their teeth without modern toothbrushes, minty toothpaste, or dental floss?
Let’s take a fascinating dive into the dental habits of the Romans and uncover the surprisingly advanced—and sometimes shocking—ways they kept their teeth clean and their breath fresh.
Tooth Care in the Time of Toga: The Basics
Dental hygiene wasn’t just a modern obsession. Ancient Romans were keen on cleanliness, and that extended to their mouths. Though their dental tools and ingredients may seem unusual (and even gross) to us today, they did have a system in place to maintain oral health.
Here are the main elements of Roman dental care:
What Did Ancient Romans Use to Brush Their Teeth?
1. Toothpowder Instead of Toothpaste
Toothpaste as we know it didn't exist, but Romans used tooth powders to scrub their teeth. These powders were often made from:
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Crushed bones
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Oyster shells
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Eggshells
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Charcoal
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Bark and herbs
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Ash from burnt animal hooves
These abrasive ingredients helped remove plaque and stains. Some even added baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)—yes, a naturally occurring substance back then—for whitening effects.
2. Chew Sticks and Cloth Instead of Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes with bristles weren’t introduced to Europe until much later (thanks, China!). So Romans likely used:
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Frayed sticks (similar to modern-day miswak)
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Coarse cloths wrapped around a finger
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Small twigs from aromatic trees like myrtle or laurel
They would dip these in tooth powder and scrub their teeth thoroughly.
The (In)Famous Use of Urine
This part may raise a few eyebrows, but it’s true: Romans used urine as a mouthwash—and even imported Portuguese urine, believing it to be superior!
Why? Urine contains ammonia, a powerful cleansing agent and whitening agent. The ammonia helped remove stains and kill bacteria. As strange as it sounds, it was chemically effective—though not exactly minty fresh.
In fact, the practice was so common that the Roman Emperor Nero even taxed the trade of urine in the 1st century AD.
Natural Mouth Fresheners
For fresh breath, Romans chewed on:
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Fennel seeds
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Parsley
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Mint leaves
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Myrrh
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Cinnamon or cloves
These herbs helped mask bad breath and may have had antibacterial properties too.
Did Ancient Romans Visit Dentists?
Surprisingly, yes. Romans had dentists—though not quite like the ones we visit today. These early practitioners could:
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Extract decayed teeth
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Treat gum disease with herbal pastes and poultices
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Craft false teeth using ivory or bone
Some wealthier Romans even had gold dental bridges. Dental care was primitive but present and evolving.
Famous Figures and Their Dental Habits
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Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and naturalist, documented several recipes for toothpowder and mouth fresheners.
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Hippocrates, while Greek, influenced Roman medicine and mentioned using vinegar, pumice stone, and salt for oral care.
How Effective Was Roman Dental Hygiene?
While their techniques lacked fluoride and modern tools, Roman dental hygiene was relatively effective. Analysis of Roman skulls has shown:
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Surprisingly few cavities, thanks to low sugar diets
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Good wear and tear, meaning they chewed food well
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Moderate gum disease, especially in older adults
Of course, access to oral care varied depending on class and wealth.
Key Takeaways: Ancient Roman Toothbrushing
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Tooth powders made from bone, ash, and charcoal were the norm.
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Urine was used as a mouthwash for its ammonia content.
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Chewing sticks and cloth replaced toothbrushes.
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Herbs and spices kept breath relatively fresh.
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Roman dentistry included extractions and rudimentary prosthetics.
Final Thoughts
While ancient Roman dental care might make you cringe (hello, urine!), it shows us that the desire for clean teeth and fresh breath isn’t a modern invention. In fact, the Romans were quite innovative in their approach, even if it lacked a pleasant taste.
So, the next time you squeeze out some minty toothpaste onto your nylon-bristled brush, take a moment to appreciate just how far oral hygiene has come—and maybe be grateful you weren’t born in 100 AD.
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