Early forms of the toothbrush have been around since 3000 BC. Ancient civilizations used a chew stick which was a thin twig with a frayed end and was used by rubbing it against the teeth. Jean Auel wrote about twigs being used in her "Clan of the Cave Bear" Earth's Children series and if I remember correctly these were best if they were from a particular tree.
The bristle toothbrush wasn't invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were the stiff,coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo. This type of bristle was eventually replaced when nylon bristles were introduced in 1938. Americans were not serious about oral hygiene until soldiers returning from World War II brought the habit home with them.
The bristle toothbrush wasn't invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were the stiff,coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo. This type of bristle was eventually replaced when nylon bristles were introduced in 1938. Americans were not serious about oral hygiene until soldiers returning from World War II brought the habit home with them.
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| Horsehair toothbrush said to have been used by Napoleon |
So we have something to be thankful for regarding WW II? Dental hygiene it is!
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