Tooth cleaning and brushing instruments date back to the period 3500-3000 BC, when the Babylonians and Egyptians made the first brushes by fraying the end of a twig. Toothpicks were found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and around 1600 BC, the Chinese invented „chewing sticks“ to freshen breath, made from twigs of trees with aromatic properties.
The history of the toothbrush
It is believed that the Chinese invented the first toothbrush, creating one in the 15th century using natural bristles made from wild boar hairs from the neck, attached to a bone or bamboo handle. When this design was brought from China to Europe, it was adapted by Europeans who preferred using horsehair, as it was softer. Other European toothbrush designs used feathers from birds.
The first toothbrush with a more modern design was made around 1780 in England by William Addis. The toothbrush handle was carved from bone derived from cattle, and the bristle portion was also made from pig hair. In 1844, the first toothbrush with three rows of bristles was invented.
Until nylon was invented by DuPont, natural animal hair was the only source for making toothbrushes. The invention of nylon also meant the development of the first truly modern toothbrushes. Thus, in 1938, the first toothbrushes with soft nylon bristles were made, and by 1950, these had become the preference of the majority. The first electric toothbrush was made in 1939, and the first electric toothbrush in the USA was produced by Broxodent in 1960.
Today, both manual and electric toothbrushes come in many shapes and sizes and are usually made from plastic moulded handles and nylon bristles. The latest toothbrush designs include handles that are straight, angled, curved and contoured with rubbery soft-grip handles and areas to make them easier to use.
Toothbrush bristles are usually synthetic and vary in texture from very soft to soft. Toothbrush heads vary from very small for young children to larger sizes for older children and adults, and come in a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, elongated, oval and almost round.
The basic fundamentals haven't changed since the time of the Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians: a handle and a tuft of bristles used for cleaning teeth. Throughout its history, the toothbrush has evolved to become a scientifically designed instrument, so that we can benefit from various modern ergonomic designs and safe, hygienic materials.
The history of toothpaste
It is believed that the Egyptians began using a paste to clean their teeth around 5000 BC, before toothbrushes were invented. Ancient Greeks and Romans are known to have used toothpastes, and natives of China and India first used toothpaste around 500 BC.
Ancient toothpastes were used to treat some of the same concerns we have today: keeping teeth and gums clean, whitening teeth, and freshening breath. The ingredients in ancient toothpastes were very different and varied, however. Ingredients used included: powdered ash from ox hooves and burnt eggshells, combined with pumice.
The Greeks and Romans preferred more abrasive toothpastes, and their tooth-cleaning ingredients included crushed bones and oyster shells. The Romans also added flavourings to help remove bad breath, as well as charcoal powder and tree bark. Over time the Chinese have used a wide variety of substances in toothpaste, which have included ginseng, mint and salt.
The development of more modern toothpastes began in the 1800s. The first versions, from 1850, contained soap and chalk, and in the 1800s, in England, betel nuts were included in toothpaste.
Before 1850, toothpaste was actually powder. During the 1850s, a new toothpaste was invented that was kept in a jar and was called Crème toothpaste, and in 1873 Colgate developed and began mass production of toothpaste in jars. Colgate introduced toothpaste in a tube, similar to the toothpaste tubes of today, in 1890.
After 1945, toothpaste contained soap. After this period, soap was replaced with other ingredients to make the toothpaste smoother, and to emulsify, sodium lauryl sulfate, an ingredient common in today's toothpaste too.
In the second half of the 20th century, modern toothpastes were developed, which aimed to prevent or treat diseases, as well as for use in specific conditions, such as tooth sensitivity. In 1914, toothpastes with fluoride were introduced to help prevent cavities. Toothpastes with very low abrasiveness were developed to help prevent problems caused by overzealous brushing.
The latest advances in toothpaste development have included whitening toothpastes and toothpastes containing triclosan, which offer additional protection against cavities, gum disease, plaque, tartar and bad breath.
Today's toothpastes typically contain fluoride, colourings, flavourings, sweeteners, as well as ingredients that make toothpaste a homogeneous, foamy paste and keep it moist. Individual toothpastes may contain special ingredients, such as triclosan. Toothpaste in tubes is used all over the world and was a very successful invention.