3 facts
The ammonia in urine was an effective cleaning agent and whitener for teeth. It was a common practice, and there was even a tax on urine collection in some periods, highlighting its perceived value and widespread use in ancient hygiene.
Roman citizens, particularly those who could afford it, believed the ammonia in urine was an effective antiseptic and teeth whitener. This practice, though repulsive by modern standards, was common and even taxed by emperors, highlighting different historical perceptions of hygiene.
Roman dentists and hygienists believed that the ammonia in stale urine had disinfectant and whitening properties. Despite its modern revulsion, this practice was a common and accepted form of oral hygiene in the ancient world.