Archeologists have found that the Babylonians, Egyptians, and other ancient civilizations used a chewing stick as early as 3500 BCE. One end was chewed until frayed and then rubbed against the teeth. The opposite end was pointed for a pick to clean food from between the teeth. Toothsticks have been included in burial artifacts in ancient Egyptian tombs for their owners to use in the afterlife. Ancient Greek and Roman literature mentions chewing on toothpicks to help clean the teeth and mouth.
We know from Chinese literature around 1600 BCE. that they used twigs from aromatic trees to clean and freshen the mouth. Almost 3,000 years later in 1498, the Chinese invented the first bristled toothbrush. Onto a bamboo or carved bone handle, they attached the bristles—stiff, coarse hairs—from the back of a hog’s neck.
Perhaps Marco Polo or a contemporary brought the bristled tooth brush from China to Europe, where it was modified, using softer horsehairs or feathers.
Around 1780, William Addis of England adapted the Chinese design and made the first real toothbrush. The bone for his handles came from cattle, had bored holes into it, and then wires tied the bristles in place. Since pigs living in colder climates produced more and coarser hairs, Addis imported his natural bristles from Siberia and northern China. His new toothbrush design rapidly gained popularity and use throughout Europe.
In 1844, Dr. Meyer L. Rhein patented the first 3-row toothbrush. His brushes, manufactured by hand, used serrated bristles with larger tufts. On Nov. 7, 1857, H. N. Wadsworth became the first American to patent ideas for the modern toothbrush. He also used bone for the handle and boar hair for the bristles.
In 1885, the Florence Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts, in association with Dr. Meyer L. Rhein, began mass producing the Pro-phy-lac-tic toothbrush. Although called prophylactic, these brushes were no more protective against disease than earlier ones because the bristles held germs, making them less sanitary. In addition, the bristles would fall out, which required buying a replacement brush.
In 1938, the DuPont de Nemours Company invented nylon. Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush became the first to use nylon bristles. These synthetic bristles stayed in place better and did not encourage bacterial growth, making them more hygienic and caused the discontinuation of natural bristles.
Until World War II, most Americans did not brush their teeth. The United States Army developed and enforced the habit of brushing the teeth. Soldiers returning home continued the practice of good oral hygiene, and encouraged families and friends to do likewise. Softer nylon bristles were made in the 1950s, and many people switched to them from the original, stiff nylon.
In 1880, the idea developed of powering a toothbrush with a tiny electric motor. It seemed reasonable that an electric toothbrush would simulate the action of a manual brush and would produce a better cleaning performance, but smaller motors had to be developed first. Switzerland developed the first efficient design for an electric toothbrush and produced it in 1939.
In 1955, Dr. Philippe G. Woog founded the Broxo Company and created the Broxodent, the world’s first automatic toothbrush. Squibb Pharmaceutical introduced the Broxodent in the U.S.
General Electric came out with a rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961. Marketed in 1987, Interplak was the first rotary action electrical toothbrush for home use.
Today, toothbrush handles are straight or angled, curved and contoured, with soft rubber grips to make them easier to hold and use. Toothbrush bristles, usually synthetic, range from very soft to harder. The brush heads are available in rectangular, oblong, oval, and round shapes and range in size from very small for young children to larger sizes appropriate for older children and adults.
I referred to these Websites while writing this article.
