It sure has existed for very long.. almost pre Ramayan 7 MahaBharat even..
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But its difficult to say that no other .. in no other part of the world/ cosmos at the same time as that was developing / practicing some other form of medicine/ cures..
For as long as I know my Maternal grandma has been using these things to cleanse teeth daily.. and whenever I too have been given conc'tion of pure (non toxic/ commercial) herbs & syrups.. its worked for me...