History of Tooth Brushing

Tooth brushing is not a very recent process. Centuries ago people felt the need of tooth brushing to keep their teeth clean, healthy and fine. Before toothbrushes, people used rough cloth and water to clean their teeth. They would also rub things like salt and chalk across their teeth to try to get rid of the grime. People also used forms of toothpaste that they made out of ingredients you probably wouldn’t want to put in your mouth. Sometimes a powder was made of the ashes of ox hooves and burned eggshells. The ancient Greeks and Romans used materials such as crushed oyster shells and bones.

In 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs. Some would fray one end of the twig so that it could penetrate between the teeth more effectively.

The first bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498, where coarse hairs were attached to handles made of bamboo or bone. Boar bristles were used until 1938, when nylon bristles were introduced by the company Dupont de Nemours. 

Modern day tooth brushing, as a regular habit became prevalent in Europe after contact with the Muslim world in Africa and Asia where the people's teeth remained healthy into old age. It was advised as a scientifically supported practice toward the end of the 17th century.

The modern toothbrush was developed in England in 1780. While languishing in jail, Thomas Addis decided to drill holes into a sheep's tibia, and pulled through the bristles of boar hair. In the United States, although toothbrushes were available at the end of the 19th century, the practice did not become widespread until after the Second World War, when U.S. soldiers continued the tooth brushing that had been required during their military service.

Interesting isn't it !
Brush daily and stay healthy.

source:  #Wikipedia ; #Huffingtonpost

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