can anyone remember the red toothpaste we used to get in the fifties? it used to stain the gums and lips pink, it was great for young girls who's mums thought they were too young to use make up, we used to rub a little on our cheeks with damp cotton wool as well, we thought we were so clever, no doubt we looked a bit clownish though.
I was on holiday a few years ago, and on the same table were a couple from liverpool. The husband claimed he used to swill bleach round his teeth to keep them white
When we were young (I'm talking wartime here) money was tight and toothpaste was unknown to me, we used bicarbonate of soda to clean our teeth, I've heard of people using soot.