Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection
Tooth Powder, Edwardian, Original
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is a healthy thing to do as it
helps avoid disease and decay. Cleaning your teeth also keeps your
breath fresh. People have used different ways of keeping their
teeth clean over the centuries. Today we use toothbrushes and
toothpaste.
This metal can contains toothpowder. Its screw top twists open to reveal a small hole through which the powder was poured. The toothpowder would have been sprinkled on a brush, and used as we now use toothpaste. A printed metal label has the words "Dr E. L. Graves Unequalled Tooth Powder for Health and Beautiful Teeth". These words are also embossed on the can. Two prices are printed on the label - one shilling and 25 cents - indicating that the powder was sold in both Britain and the United States of America.
The tooth powder can is packaged in a cardboard box and was produced from 1906-1916. The box is printed with similar information and also gives advise on "The Care Of The Teeth", and "Directions" for using the powder. The manufacturer, E. L Graves, Chicago, and the name of the British agents, Thomas Christy, with their London address are on one side of the box.
This metal can contains toothpowder. Its screw top twists open to reveal a small hole through which the powder was poured. The toothpowder would have been sprinkled on a brush, and used as we now use toothpaste. A printed metal label has the words "Dr E. L. Graves Unequalled Tooth Powder for Health and Beautiful Teeth". These words are also embossed on the can. Two prices are printed on the label - one shilling and 25 cents - indicating that the powder was sold in both Britain and the United States of America.
The tooth powder can is packaged in a cardboard box and was produced from 1906-1916. The box is printed with similar information and also gives advise on "The Care Of The Teeth", and "Directions" for using the powder. The manufacturer, E. L Graves, Chicago, and the name of the British agents, Thomas Christy, with their London address are on one side of the box.
Height:10cm
A commercial product, such as this can of tooth powder in its
cardboard box, shows us that the Edwardians cared about their
teeth in a similar way to us today. The text on the box gives very
precise instructions, but with a slightly different use of
language:
The teeth should be examined by the dentist at least once a year and cleaned if necessary, and should receive such other attention required.
It is essential that all foreign matter be removed from between the teeth. The quill makes the best pick.
Stains and tarter should be kept off the teeth from early childhood. The cavities of decay should be filled when small to accomplish the best result.
As soon as possible children should be instructed in the proper use of brush and powder, so that correct habits of cleanliness will be early established. Their teeth are usually neglected until much harm is done. In most cases irreparable injury has been caused, as decay and premature loss of temporary teeth or decay and loss of the first, largest and most important of the permanent teeth, or unhealthy and unsightly irregularities have resulted: with proper care and the advice of a skilful and painstaking dentist would surely have been prevented.
A commercial product will also have to sell itself, so the packaging will be trying to compete with other products on the shelf for our attention. Looking at the design of the packaging can tell us about the graphics, and advertising style of the period. The tooth powder was imported from the E.L Graves Tooth Powder Co. in Chicago, and distributed in Britain by Thomas Christy & Co. in East London.
The development of toothpaste began as long ago as 300BC in India and China. The Egyptians made tooth powder from a mixture of powdered ashes of hooves of oxen, myrrh, pumice and powdered and burned eggshells. The Greeks and Romans were the first to bind loose teeth together, and support artificial teeth with fine gold wire. Tooth powder was available in Britain from the late 18th century onwards, and often contained dangerous and abrasive materials such as brick dust and cuttlefish. Glycerine was added to tooth powders to make them more palatable, and borax was used to give a cleansing, foaming effect.
In 1896 Colgate Dental Cream was the first to be packaged in the collapsible tubes that we are familiar with today. Toothpaste manufactures are now obliged to list the ingredients of their product. Dr E.L Graves declines to tell us the ingredients of his unequalled tooth powder.
The teeth should be examined by the dentist at least once a year and cleaned if necessary, and should receive such other attention required.
It is essential that all foreign matter be removed from between the teeth. The quill makes the best pick.
Stains and tarter should be kept off the teeth from early childhood. The cavities of decay should be filled when small to accomplish the best result.
As soon as possible children should be instructed in the proper use of brush and powder, so that correct habits of cleanliness will be early established. Their teeth are usually neglected until much harm is done. In most cases irreparable injury has been caused, as decay and premature loss of temporary teeth or decay and loss of the first, largest and most important of the permanent teeth, or unhealthy and unsightly irregularities have resulted: with proper care and the advice of a skilful and painstaking dentist would surely have been prevented.
A commercial product will also have to sell itself, so the packaging will be trying to compete with other products on the shelf for our attention. Looking at the design of the packaging can tell us about the graphics, and advertising style of the period. The tooth powder was imported from the E.L Graves Tooth Powder Co. in Chicago, and distributed in Britain by Thomas Christy & Co. in East London.
The development of toothpaste began as long ago as 300BC in India and China. The Egyptians made tooth powder from a mixture of powdered ashes of hooves of oxen, myrrh, pumice and powdered and burned eggshells. The Greeks and Romans were the first to bind loose teeth together, and support artificial teeth with fine gold wire. Tooth powder was available in Britain from the late 18th century onwards, and often contained dangerous and abrasive materials such as brick dust and cuttlefish. Glycerine was added to tooth powders to make them more palatable, and borax was used to give a cleansing, foaming effect.
In 1896 Colgate Dental Cream was the first to be packaged in the collapsible tubes that we are familiar with today. Toothpaste manufactures are now obliged to list the ingredients of their product. Dr E.L Graves declines to tell us the ingredients of his unequalled tooth powder.
Height:10cm
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is a healthy thing to do as it
helps avoid disease and decay. Cleaning your teeth also keeps your
breath fresh. People have used different ways of keeping their
teeth clean over the centuries. Today we use toothbrushes and
toothpaste.
This metal can contains toothpowder. Its screw top twists open to reveal a small hole through which the powder was poured. The toothpowder would have been sprinkled on a brush, and used as we now use toothpaste. A printed metal label has the words "Dr E. L. Graves Unequalled Tooth Powder for Health and Beautiful Teeth". These words are also embossed on the can. Two prices are printed on the label - one shilling and 25 cents - indicating that the powder was sold in both Britain and the United States of America.
The tooth powder can is packaged in a cardboard box and was produced from 1906-1916. The box is printed with similar information and also gives advise on "The Care Of The Teeth", and "Directions" for using the powder. The manufacturer, E. L Graves, Chicago, and the name of the British agents, Thomas Christy, with their London address are on one side of the box.
This metal can contains toothpowder. Its screw top twists open to reveal a small hole through which the powder was poured. The toothpowder would have been sprinkled on a brush, and used as we now use toothpaste. A printed metal label has the words "Dr E. L. Graves Unequalled Tooth Powder for Health and Beautiful Teeth". These words are also embossed on the can. Two prices are printed on the label - one shilling and 25 cents - indicating that the powder was sold in both Britain and the United States of America.
The tooth powder can is packaged in a cardboard box and was produced from 1906-1916. The box is printed with similar information and also gives advise on "The Care Of The Teeth", and "Directions" for using the powder. The manufacturer, E. L Graves, Chicago, and the name of the British agents, Thomas Christy, with their London address are on one side of the box.
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- Term:
- Description:
- Borax
- A white powder used for making glass, enamels and detergents.
- Glycerine
- A thick sweet colourless liquid made from fats and oils.
