From the first civilizations that tried to clean their teeth with rudimentary twigs to the industrial sophistication of the 19th century that popularized it. The toothpick has been much more than a simple hygiene tool; It has been a symbol of power, status, refinement and even superstition in different times and cultures. Its history, rich in details and curiosities, is a testament to human ingenuity and the way in which small objects can have a profound impact on everyday life.
1) The first traces of dental hygiene
The search for proper oral hygiene is as old as humanity itself. Archaeologists have found evidence that humans already used small branches to remove food debris from their teeth more than 7,000 years ago. These primitive tools are the first signs of what would later become the toothpick. In some excavations in ancient Mesopotamia, fossils have been discovered with signs of wear on the teeth caused by the repeated use of sharp tools that the Sumerians used for this purpose. These hygiene practices, although very basic, reflect an early concern for oral health and physical appearance that was already related to social perception.
2) Mouth care in ancient Egypt
However, dental care was elevated to an art form in ancient Egypt, where aesthetics and the body were considered divine manifestations. Their oral cleanliness played an important role. Toothpicks found in tombs of pharaohs and noble are made of precious materials such as gold and ivory, and were often accompanied by small containers filled with oils or aromatic herbs to rinse the mouth. The Egyptians believed that keeping a clean and pleasant mouth was essential to ensuring a prosperous life after death. In their mythology, Anubis, the God of death, evaluated not only the hearts of the deceased, but also the state of their physical body, including oral health. In this way, the toothpick was not a mere utensil, but a symbol of purity and spiritual preparation for the afterlife.
3) The toothpick in Asia and the Middle East
The use of the toothpick continued to evolve independently throughout the Middle East and Asia. In ancient China, for example, members of the nobility used thin twigs of bamboo or wood to clean their teeth and these were often kept in hand-carved boxes that reflected the status of their owners. In India branches of the tree were used neem, famous for its antiseptic properties to care for dental health. The interesting thing is that many of these practices persist to this day, since the use of small toothpick or wands remains an important part of oral hygiene in these cultures. This early focus on dental health also reflected an understanding, albeit rudimentary, of the relationship between the mouth and general well-being.
4) The importance of the toothpick in the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire, famous for its obsession with bodily hygiene, not only adopted the use of the toothpick, but made it an essential part of your daily life. In ancient Rome, cleanliness was a fundamental part of culture. Public baths were centers of social activity and personal hygiene was considered a sign of civilization and refinement. Toothpicks, made primarily of metal or bone, were common among the Roman aristocracy and were used after each meal as part of the personal grooming ritual.
4a) Emperor Nero, one of his great supporters
One of the most iconic figures who took the use of toothpicks to an extravagant level was Emperor Nero. This famous emperor known for both his cruelty and his excess, He had a slave dedicated exclusively to the task of making and sharpening ivory toothpick for his personal use. These toothpicks were not only cleaning tools, but authentic pieces of art carved with exquisite details that reflected the status of the emperor. It is said that after each banquet, Nero would decline and use his toothpick while discussing politics and the future of the Empire with his courtiers, displaying an image of carefreeness and absolute power: the toothpick in his hands was a symbol of control. While Rome burned, he calmly cared for his image and his teeth.
4b) The toothpick in Roman military life
However, the use of the toothpick was not reserved only to the aristocracy. Roman soldiers, who often spent long periods on campaign, also used toothpick made of wood or metal. These were portable and easy to transport, making them ideal for the long marches and precarious conditions of military life. It has been speculated that Roman legionaries, who highly valued order and discipline, saw the act of brushing their teeth as a small way to maintain a sense of civilization and humanity, even in the midst of brutal wars in which they participated. Over the centuries, the Romans perfected the art of oral care. Some writers of the time mentioned remedies for bad breath and dental disease that included the use of vinegar and salt, in addition to mechanical toothpick cleaning techniques. This comprehensive approach to oral hygiene was a sign of the sophistication of Roman civilization that saw cleanliness not only as a physical necessity, but also as a reflection of purity and self-control.
5) The toothpick in the Middle Ages
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe entered an era of turbulence known as the Middle Ages, where many advances in hygiene were relegated to the background. However, the toothpick managed to survive, especially among the upper classes. It was during the Crusades starting in the 9th century, when the toothpick experienced a new resurgence. This time linked to the Christian knights returning from the Holy Land; They not only brought new food customs and exotic species from the East, but also the tradition of using toothpicks. The toothpicks these warriors adopted were made from local woods, but some were also adorned with religious symbols. These objects not only had a functional purpose, but were also considered protective amulets. Many soldiers carried toothpicks engraved with crosses or biblical inscriptions, believing that these not only kept their teeth clean, but also spiritually protected them during battles. This concept of spiritual and physical purification before entering combat was something deeply rooted in the medieval mentality. For these gentlemen, cleaning their teeth was not simply a matter of hygiene, it was an act of faith. It was believed that a knight who appeared clean and orderly before God was more likely to receive his favor on the battlefield. In some accounts from the time, knights are mentioned who performed a grooming ritual before battles that included cleaning their weapons, praying, and using the toothpick.
6) Its use in the Modern Age
Over time, this custom of using toothpicks as part of the chivalric ritual It spread to the European Courts during the Renaissancethe, where they began to adopt increasingly elaborate forms of personal hygiene, toothpick included. In the Courts of France, Italy and Spain, nobles used gold or silver toothpicks, often encrusted with precious stones. These were not only functional utensils, but also symbols of status and wealth. During banquets it was common for nobles to take out their personalized toothpick after the meal, as a way of demonstrating their refinement and good taste.
6a) The toothpick, a great ally of the Sun King
Louis XIV of France, also known as the Sun King, is a figure that mixes the extravagance and luxury of the French court in the 17th century. Famous for his love of splendor and ostentation, Louis XIV not only surrounded himself with wealth and comfort, but he was also meticulous when it came to his personal hygiene. Although he suffered from serious dental problems, this did not stop the Sun King from adopting the use of the toothpick as part of his public image: Louis XIV owned a collection of gold and silver toothpick, some of which were adorned with diamonds and other precious stones. These were made by the best goldsmiths of the time and the king used them after each banquet. Although his dental problems were known, the act of using these finely decorated toothpicks became a symbol of his refinement and the magnificence of his reign. As a curiosity, Louis XIV was born with teeth, a peculiarity that attracted the attention of his time. And although it was seen as a miracle, it was really an anomaly called natal teeth. This phenomenon that he shared with other historical figures was wrapped in superstition and symbolism, reinforcing his image as an extraordinary monarch.
6b) This is how it was used in other Courts
It was not only Louis XIV who saw in the toothpick a symbol of power and luxury throughout Europe. The Royal Courts of Spain, England and Italy began to imitate this custom and toothpick became an indispensable accessory at royal banquets. Nobles competed with each other to have the most elaborate toothpick, which turned these small objects into a way to demonstrate their wealth and good taste. In this context, the toothpick had ceased to be a simple hygiene tool and had become a symbol of power, status and sophistication.
7) Its extension in the Contemporary Age
As the world entered the Contemporary Age, the toothpick began to lose its status as an exclusive object of the elites and became a more accessible utensil for the middle classes. This change is largely due to Charles Foster, an American businessman who, after a trip to Brazil, observed how the natives used small branches to clean their teeth. Inspired by this practice, Foster decided to bring the idea of toothpicks to his country, but with a completely new vision: mass production. In 1869, Foster founded the first toothpick factory in Maine, United States.. Unlike the fancy toothpick of earlier eras, Foster's were simple and functional, made from birch wood and designed to be disposable. Foster's real genius was not only mass production, but his ingenious marketing strategy. To do this, he hired young people to use toothpick in fashionable restaurants of the time, which quickly popularized their use in American society.
7a) The toothpick in Galicia
One of the most curious stories related to the toothpick is linked to its introduction in the cafes and restaurants of Galicia at the beginning of the 20th century. Although toothpick existed long before, their massive use in daily Spanish life has a peculiar history that has to do with tourism and hospitality. During the 20s and 30s, at the height of Galician emigration to America, Many Galicians returned from their trips abroad, especially from countries like Argentina, Cuba and the United States, bringing with them customs that they had learned in those lands.. One of those customs was the use of a toothpick after meals, a practice that in Galicia was not common in most homes or establishments. An interesting anecdote occurs in the most traditional cafes of Santiago, Coruña and Vigo, where the use of toothpicks began to be seen as a sign of modernity. The Indians, as the emigrants returning from America were called, used to frequent these cafes and restaurants. And one of the most characteristic images was that of these men and women cleaning their teeth with toothpicks after meals. Soon, the owners of the most elegant restaurants began to place small containers with toothpicks on the tables, something that soon became a widespread practice throughout Spain. But this custom not only came with emigrants, but also with foreign tourists, especially English and French. In some emblematic cafes, such as the historic Café Derby in Santiago, which was a meeting place for Galician intellectuals, the custom of offering toothpick after lunch was established, which contributed to the widespread use of toothpick among diners. Galicians. Over time, the toothpick went from being an exotic object brought by Indians or tourists to becoming a common item on tables throughout the country.
8) The toothpick today
Nowadays, although the toothpick has been practically replaced by dental floss and interdental brushes, It is still an everyday utensil in many places around the world.. In Asia its use is almost ritual, while in the West it is still associated with meals in restaurants. However, few people are aware of the rich and complex history of this simple object. The toothpick is a very interesting piece in the history of humanity, not only as a hygiene instrument, but as a symbol of power, status and cultural evolution. From the tombs of the pharaohs to the factories of Charles Foster, the toothpick has traveled through the centuries, leaving a mark on the way we humans care for ourselves and project our image to the world. A small piece of wood that over the millennia has told a story as complex as human civilization itself.
