How did Europeans brush their teeth?

Before the Modern Toothbrush: How Europeans Kept Their Smiles Clean

Long before plastic bristles and minty tube pastes lined pharmacy shelves, maintaining oral hygiene in Europe required a bit of resourcefulness. For centuries, the daily routine of keeping one's mouth fresh relied entirely on simple, natural items gathered from the surrounding environment.

For those living in the countryside, the solution grew right on the trees. People frequently used fresh hazel twigs as makeshift toothbrushes. By chewing on the tip of a small branch, the wood fibers frayed out into a soft, brush-like bundle capable of scrubbing away debris. For city dwellers or those without access to young hazel wood, the standard method was even simpler: individuals would thoroughly wipe their teeth using a small piece of linen cloth wrapped around a finger.

Commercial toothpaste as we know it did not exist, but historical Europeans still recognized the need for abrasive powders and aromatic fresheners. Rather than foam and fluoride, they turned to sea salt and ground herbs. Salt acted as a natural abrasive and mild disinfectant, while crushed herbs served to mask bad breath. Among these, cloves were a particular favourite thanks to their pleasant scent and natural numbing properties, which provided welcome relief for aching gums. Though rudimentary by today’s standards, these clever traditional techniques effectively helped generations preserve their teeth long before modern dentistry took shape.