Why the Romans Used Urine as Mouthwash (Yes, You Read That Right!)
When you think of ancient Rome, images of grand coliseums, mighty emperors, and epic battles probably come to mind. But did you know the Romans also had some pretty unusual hygiene habits? One of the strangest and definitely the most surprising, is that they used urine as mouthwash!
Sounds gross, right? But here’s the twist: the Romans weren’t just being weird for no reason. They actually believed urine had powerful cleaning properties, and science kind of backs them up!
The Science Behind It
Urine contains ammonia, a natural compound that acts as a cleaning agent. Back then, it was one of the few substances known to help whiten teeth and freshen breath. So, Romans collected urine (yes, from public urinals!) and used it to rinse their mouths and even clean their clothes.
The poet Catullus even joked about people using urine to brighten their smiles, so it was pretty common knowledge at the time!
How Did They Use It?
Romans would take a small amount of urine and swish it around their mouths like a modern mouthwash. This process was believed to remove stains and kill bacteria. Plus, urine was easy to find and free, making it a practical choice for daily hygiene.
Strange, But Effective?
While we’d definitely skip this practice today, the idea of using ammonia to clean isn’t that far off. Ammonia is still used in some cleaning products (just not in your mouth!). The Romans were pretty clever, using what they had to stay fresh and clean.