History of the Toothbrush

Good dental hygiene is essential, but like most medical practices it's come a long way over the centuries. Just how far? Something as simple as the toothbrush is a perfect example.

The first toothbrushes

People realized how important dental health was as early as 3500 B.C. Greeks and Romans used a "brush" that was more of a stick than a brush. This stick worked much in the same way as chewsticks for pets, cleaning the teeth as the person chewed on it.

Chinese brushes

The toothbrush began to take shape in China around 1500 B.C. with advancements on the earlier chewsticks. The chewed end of the stick was made softer and used to brush food from the teeth, while the other end of the stick was filed into a point to use like a toothpick.

Bristled brushes

The first bristled toothbrushes were made in England by William Addis. These toothbrushes were made of animal bone and bristles made from the backs of swine and later, of horses.

Toothbrushes in America

Toothbrushes only became common in the U.S. in the mid 1840s, and bristles were not made from synthetic fibers until the 1930s. This came with DuPont's discovery of nylon.

Soft-bristled brushes

People in America only began brushing on a regular basis around the time of World War II. This was also about the time that soft nylon bristles became common.

Electric toothbrushes

The first electric toothbrush was invented and marketed in 1960, by Broxodent.

Modern toothbrushes

It's only after the 1960s that toothbrushes became available in a variety of shapes and sizes as they were designed to not only clean better but to become more ergonomic and easier to clean with thoroughly.