Period Toothpaste

[robwall1861]

I should have posted this with my post a few weeks ago regarding what to use for gun oil in the field, but I'll start a new one...

What is a good source for period toothpaste (as well as container)? I have heard of using baking soda and I have one of those metal cap style tins that I can use to keep the toothpaste in.

Thanks in advance,
Robin

[cprljohnivey]

Re: Period Toothpaste

I have read several rescipes for tooth powders in those period ladies housekeeping books. Non of them you would want to use today. Almost all of them contain charcoal and basically scour your teeth clean. This will eventually scour off your enamal.

Stick with baking soda or even the arm and hammer tooth powder if you can find it. As far as a container... a small tin or bottle should do fine.

As far as access to these by the soldiers... I believe they just simply used water and their toothbrush.

[Silas]

Re: Period Toothpaste

I keep my baking soda in a small cotton bag inside my "medical" bag. The medical bag contains moleskin, tweesers, a metal box of pills (I am an old man, afterall), nail cutter, toothbrush and et cetera. I rinse with vinegar contained in a bottle from my haversack. Whiskey works well for the purpose, too.

Don't spit the baking soda and vinegar. The volcanic action is also good for the digestion. Follow one with the other after a minute's pause or else you look like a rabid dog. Unless you want to look like a rabid dog.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Period Toothpaste

I remember reading someplace that toothpowder came in different flavors. I use ordinary arm and hammer and mix it with a little rose water until it forms a paste. Then I spread it out on wax paper, let it dry out, then break the clumps up and work it back into a powder. I carry it in a container that I got from the gentleman that we do not speak of.

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: Period Toothpaste

I've seen several original recipes for toothpaste, and several containers. All of the containers I've seen were porcelain containers. Not saying that all toothpaste containers were porcelain, but all the one's I've seen were. Do a google image search on antique toothpaste containers and you'll see what I mean.
Like this:

[Jam3853]

Re: Period Toothpaste

http://books.google.com/books?id=cHvdZefjXGMC&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76&dq=1860%27s+tooth+powder+recipe&source=bl&ots=yglYifVpFq&sig=eUxbPWMhGE5EN5JyPDBSCguX7ys&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bzJNT7KJLYrctgebzM0l&ved=0CEIQ6AEwBg

for those wanting documented recipes

and one from 1898

http://www.vintagerecipes.net/books/golden_age_cook_book/tooth_powder.php

[Pennvolunteer]

Re: Period Toothpaste

Steve Dunfee at Sutler of Fort Scott sells tooth powder in period containers. They look somewhat like what Bob Sullivan posted, called Thoxoria Tooth Powder. I got some for Christmas as a stocking stuffer!