thefreedictionary.com - Toothpaste

Erika P. (Brazil)
Though toothpaste as we know it today is only about a century old, dental hygiene has long concerned human beings. The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century. In 1892, American dentist Washington Sheffield became the first to sell toothpaste in a tube—today the standard in toothpaste packaging. What had inspired him to package it like that?
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. century
    a period of 100 years
    Though toothpaste as we know it today is only about a century old, dental hygiene has long concerned human beings.
  2. hygiene
    a condition promoting sanitary practices
    Though toothpaste as we know it today is only about a century old, dental hygiene has long concerned human beings.
  3. concern
    something that interests you because it is important
    Though toothpaste as we know it today is only about a century old, dental hygiene has long concerned human beings.
  4. ancient
    belonging to times long past
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  5. abrasive
    causing irritation or erosion by friction
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  6. mixture
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  7. crush
    compress with force, out of natural shape or condition
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  8. far cry
    a disappointing disparity
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  9. formula
    a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement
    The ancient Greeks and Romans cleaned their teeth with abrasive mixtures using crushed bones and oyster shells, a far cry from the hydrogen peroxide-and-baking soda formulas of the 19th century.
  10. standard
    a basis for comparison
    In 1892, American dentist Washington Sheffield became the first to sell toothpaste in a tube—today the standard in toothpaste packaging.
  11. inspired
    of surpassing excellence
    What had inspired him to package it like that?
Created on Tue Aug 05 07:55:18 EDT 2014

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