How did tudors brush their teeth?

How the Tudors Kept Their Teeth Clean

Long before the invention of the modern toothbrush, people in Tudor England had their own ways of keeping their mouths clean — and it wasn’t anything like today’s routine. Back in the 16th century, brushing teeth as we know it didn’t exist. Instead, Tudors relied on simple, practical solutions using what they already had on hand.

Wool and linen cloths were commonly used to clean teeth. These weren’t fancy tools — just scraps torn from worn-out clothing. Larger pieces served as cleaning rags around the house, while smaller, softer strips were reserved for personal hygiene. People would dip these cloth fragments in water, salt, or even vinegar and rub them along their teeth and gums to remove food particles and buildup.

There were no toothpastes either, though some wealthier Tudors might have used pastes made from crushed herbs, charcoal, or ground oyster shells, believed to freshen breath and clean teeth. But for most, a simple cloth was enough — if they bothered at all. Dental hygiene wasn’t a daily priority for everyone, and tooth decay was common.

Interestingly, despite their limited tools, some Tudors were quite concerned with appearance. Queen Elizabeth I, known for her love of sweets, famously had blackened teeth — a sign of sugar consumption, which was a status symbol at the time. Yet, regular cleaning was still practiced by those who could afford the small luxury of self-care.

So while we may shudder at the idea of rubbing a piece of old linen on our gums, the Tudor method was a practical approach to hygiene in a time of limited resources. It’s a reminder that cleanliness has always mattered — even if the methods have changed dramatically.