Ancient Roman Secret to White Teeth: Urine?

Ancient Roman Oral Hygiene: A Surprising Look at Teeth Whitening In a recent TikTok video, history enthusiast TÖRTÉNÉSz (@zsu_szabo) explores the surprisingly modern methods of oral hygiene employed by the ancient Romans. The video, which uses a combination of historical images and the author's commentary, focuses on the use of urine as a teeth-whitening agent. This practice, according to the author, is supported by writings of the Roman poet Catullus, who describes a character with exceptionally white teeth. "The Romans, it turns out, were quite resourceful in their approach to oral hygiene," says TÖRTÉNÉSz. "Their use of urine, while unconventional by today's standards, reflects their understanding of the properties of certain substances." The video sparks a discussion about the history of oral hygiene, highlighting the evolution of dental care practices across centuries. The author's engaging presentation makes the historical information easily accessible to a modern audience, despite the unusual subject matter. While the use of urine as a teeth whitener might seem repulsive to modern sensibilities, the video serves as a reminder of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient civilizations in addressing everyday concerns.