You use your toothbrush and toothpaste every day, but how much do you know about their history?
You use your toothbrush and toothpaste every day. In fact, you probably take them for granted. So that means you never take the time to think about how they got to be where they are. Who invented toothpaste? And where did the concept of the toothbrush come from? Let’s find out together.
Before the Invention of Toothbrushes
Long before anyone thought of using a toothbrush the way we do now, the Chinese were already ahead of their time. That’s because they used chewing sticks. This is more or less where the concept of the toothbrush started. In this case, though, the Chinese relied on trees and twigs that had nice smelling oils that also help freshen breath.
The Originals
Unsurprisingly, the first actual toothbrushes were created by the Chinese. Bristles were attached to brushes that were made from bamboo or animal bones. But it was in England that the design was improved on and turned into something resembling the toothbrushes we all get from our dentist after a visit these days. William Addis made a new toothbrush with a handle on it. But it wasn’t until 1938 where toothbrushes really took off. In that year, nylon was invented and help supply material for bristles that weren’t made from natural materials that were challenging to mass produce.
Where Toothpaste Came From
Now let’s look at how toothpaste came to be. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all had their own versions of toothpaste. And they didn’t have the toothbrush, either. Ox hooves, ashes, charcoals, eggshells, and pumice were all used, but it’s fluoride that made a difference. Still, fluoride wasn’t used until 1914! It was supposed to help fight tooth decay. Nowadays, more ingredients are added to the paste that you spread on your brush before rinsing it and making it wet. These extra ingredients help you deal with cavities, bad breath, plaque, and gum disease. Now that you have all of this extra knowledge, be sure to amaze your friends and family with it. Plus, it might help you answer some trickier questions during your next trivia night!
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.