Tooth Powder
Powdered orris-root, 1/2 an ounce; powdered charcoal, 2 ounces, powdered Peruvian bark, 1 ounce; prepared chalk, 1/2 an ounce; oil of bergamot, or lavender, 20 drops. These ingredients must be well worked up in a mortar, until thoroughly incorporated. This celebrated tooth-powder possesses three essential virtues, giving an odorous breath, cleansing and purifying the gums, and preserving the enamel; the last rarely found in popular tooth-powders.
Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley
A Cheap But Good Tooth-Powder
Cut a slice of bread as thick as may be, into squares, and burn in the fire until it becomes charcoal, after which pound in a mortar, and sift through a fine muslin; it is then ready for use.
Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley
Uses for Cigar Ashes
Cigar ashes are splendid when used as a tooth powder; when sprinkled plentifully into furs before storing; when placed about the roots of potted plants to kill the insects.
Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames
Pearl Tooth Powder
Prepared chalk half a pound, powdered myrrh two ounces; camphor two drachms, orris root, powdered, two ounces; moisten the camphor with alcohol and mix well together.
Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette
For the Teeth
A very agreeable dentifrice is made from an ounce of myrrh in fine powder, and a little powdered green sage, mixed with two spoonfuls of honey. The teeth should be washed with it every night and morning. Spite of all that is said against it, charcoal holds the highest place as a tooth-powder. It has the property, too, of opposing putrefaction, and destroying vices of the gums. It is most conveniently used when made into paste with honey.
Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook