One of the most frequently asked questions by adults and children is the origin of the toothbrush. There are various schools of thought as to when the actual toothbrush was created, but it is necessary to look back for the earliest evidence of oral hygiene.

The Chinese were believed to have created the first real toothbrush, or a device used to clean teeth, but it was very different from what we are used to today. These early toothbrushes, made in the 1400s, did not use nylon for the bristles or plastic for the handles. They were made from bamboo, one of the most common plants in that area. The bamboo formed the handle for people to hold on to. Attached to this handle was a set of bristles, which were handcrafted from the coarse hair of the Siberian boar. The hairs used came from the nape of this animal. This is the toothbrush associated with being the ancestor of the one we use today.

However, there is evidence that there was another form of toothbrush dating back to 3,000 years before the birth of Christ. Because of this, the history of the toothbrush shows that this device is one of the oldest still used by man, truly second only to the wheel. This shape of toothbrush was found inside the pyramids of the Egyptians. These toothbrushes were made from a stick. Unlike the Chinese version of the toothbrush, the end of the stick was skinned to make the wood fibers smoother. This stick was then rubbed against the teeth to serve as a form of oral hygiene. This form of the toothbrush was not as widespread as the Chinese version.

The Chinese version of the toothbrush spread to Europe, where the Siberian wild boar bore the brunt of the invention’s growing popularity. The only drawback of the hairs of the Siberian wild boar was the fact that they were very rough on the gums. Because of this, some people began to use the hairs found on the backs of horses to make the bristles of their brushes, as this was much easier on their gums and teeth. Despite the added softness of horsehair bristles, boar hairs were more commonly used, as horses were too valuable to Europeans during this time period.

The boar hair toothbrush continued to be used until the early 20th century. In 1937, Wallace H. Carothers created nylon at Du Pont Laboratories. This invention forever changed the history of the toothbrush, as well as any other device that required a fibrous material, including strings. In 1938, nylon became the sign of modernization, from the creation of nylon stockings to Dr. West’s first nylon toothbrush. This brush was called Dr. West’s Miracle Toothbrush. Even with this advancement in the toothbrush, it wasn’t until World War II that Americans began to take oral hygiene more seriously. This was a direct result of the war. This influence stimulated the development of better toothbrushes.

Toothpaste and whiteners

Another aspect of the toothbrush story to be aware of is toothpaste and other whiteners. They are usually used with the toothbrush to make sure the teeth and breath are acceptable. The concept of toothpaste and mouthwash is quite old, almost as old as the Egyptian toothbrush. The oldest known toothpaste was created by the Egyptians. It was said to contain one drachma of rock salt, two drachmas of mint, one drachma of dried orris flowers, and 20 peppercorns. This was then crushed and mixed to form a powder. When mixed with saliva and applied to the teeth, it helps to whiten and clean the teeth. When an Australian dentist experimented with it, the mixture worked much better than anything created until the 21st century. The only downside was the fact that it made her gums bleed.

In the 18th century, the next registered version of toothpaste was produced. This mixture called for dragon’s blood, cinnamon, and burnt alum. This mix tends to be more of a diversion for many scientists, since there is no proof that “dragons” existed. What was actually considered Dragonborn is unknown.

The 19th century saw many innovations in toothpaste, although many of them would be icky compared to what we’re used to today. Charcoal, for example, was used to clean teeth. Most toothpastes of this era were powders that turned into a paste when introduced into saliva. Many of these different toothpastes were designed to both clean teeth and give the user better breath. This is where the modern idea of ​​toothpaste came to be, and one of the turning points in toothpaste history. The combination of these pastes and the toothbrush worked to ensure that there was a higher chance of cleaner, healthier teeth and gums.

It wasn’t until the 1900s that toothpastes evolved to be more modern. Colgate, and many other toothpaste companies, worked to design toothpastes that tasted good while also providing the means to clean teeth without causing bleeding gums. Today, many ingredients are used in toothpastes, fluoride being one of the most common. There is also a wide variety of “herbal” toothpastes, which do not contain this component. Each of these types is designed to suit the needs and desires of each type of person. This high level of choice is the main evolution of toothpastes. While only a few were available in Egyptian days, now there is something for everyone.

The combination of modern toothpaste and toothbrush gives everyone the oral hygiene and dental health they need to achieve the bright teeth so many desire. This combination also helps prevent tooth loss later in life, so dentures aren’t necessary as soon. The history of the toothbrush and toothpaste should not be underestimated, as the options used back then were not nearly as pleasing as the types available today.