early 15c., dentifricie, "substance used in cleaning the teeth," from Latin dentifricium "powder for rubbing the teeth," from dens (genitive dentis) "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth") + fricare "to rub" (see friction).
density
*dent-
dent
dental
dentate
dentifrice
dentiloquy
dentin
dentist
dentistry
dentition