What does toothpaste mean?
Toothpaste is a soft, usually flavored preparation used to clean and protect the teeth. It is spread onto a toothbrush and brushed over the teeth and gums, and modern products commonly contain fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. The word is usually uncountable when referring to the substance, although the plural “toothpastes” can refer to different products or varieties. Toothpaste is part of everyday personal hygiene and carries practical associations with cleanliness, dental care, freshness, and good health. The compound name combines “tooth” and “paste,” reflecting its form and intended use. Although modern toothpaste is associated with tubes, brushing preparations, and commercial dental products, tooth-cleaning powders and similar remedies existed long before the familiar paste and tube. It is therefore both a familiar household word and an example of how a simple compound can become closely associated with a routine activity.
nounA soft paste or gel used for cleaning and protecting the teeth, usually applied to a toothbrush and often containing fluoride.
- A paste or gel used for cleaning and protecting the teeth.
"She squeezed a small amount of toothpaste onto her toothbrush before brushing."
"The dentist recommended using toothpaste with fluoride twice a day."
"He bought a new tube of toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush."
Uncommon; used when referring to different toothpaste products or varieties.
"The shop sells toothpastes for sensitive teeth."
Long before toothpaste came in a tube, ancient Egyptians cleaned their teeth with powders made from ingredients such as ash, salt, and mint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does toothpaste come from?
“Toothpaste” is an English compound formed from “tooth” and “paste.” The compound is attested from the nineteenth century, alongside earlier tooth powders and other dental-cleaning preparations. “Tooth” descends from Old English “tōþ,” while “paste” comes through Old French from Latin “pasta,” originally referring to a kneaded or prepared substance. “Dentifrice” is a Latinate relative term derived from Latin roots associated with teeth and rubbing or cleaning.
How toothpaste is actually used
Toothpaste is normally treated as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance, as in “a tube of toothpaste.” The plural “toothpastes” is uncommon but can be used for different products or types of toothpaste.