The practice of cleaning the teeth
and refreshing the breath dates back thousands of years – ancient civilizations
used thin twigs, feathers and animal bones that were rubbed against the teeth,
the Romans and the Greeks used aromatic herbs, such as mint or basil to confer
a pleasant smell to the breath –, but the original form of the toothbrush as we
know it today was invented only in 1498 in China. The first toothbrush used
bristle boar hairs attached to a small piece of bamboo or bone.
The toothbrush spread to Europe and
America quickly in the 16th and 17th century and was
largely used in many countries. The mass-production of the object started in
the last decades of the 18th century in England and about a hundred
years later in the US. The modern toothbrush that replaced the bristle hair
with synthetic bristles hit the shelves in 1938 and it was advertised as a
miraculous object.
Toothbrush design continued to
evolve after World War II as well – the natural materials used for making the
handles of the brushes were gradually replaced with thermoplastic materials and
the bristles are all made from nylon today. Inventions continued in the field
of operation modes as well – the first electric toothbrush appeared in 1960 and
new materials and design solutions are introduced even today. So be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and
schedule two cleanings at a professional dentist Littleton CO office to keep
your teeth and gums in perfect condition.
