Our dental hygiene has become part of modern life’s daily routine.
Brushing twice a day has become second nature to most of us, partly because humans have been concerned about their teeth for thousands of years.
In fact, the Ancient Egyptians were rumoured to scrub their teeth with a special powder made from ox hooves and egg shells back in 5,000 B.C.
But who invented the toothbrush?
As with many inventions, there has been a plethora of modifications between the earliest toothbrush in existence compared to the modern varieties we use nowadays.
In this article, we’ll explore who invented the toothbrush, taking a comprehensive look at the history of this handy household tool.
Who Invented The Toothbrush In 1498?
Since the beginning of time, people have come up with creative and innovative ways to clean their teeth.
While you might think that people in ancient times wouldn’t pay much attention to oral hygiene, it was essential to avoid infection and disease- even if the level of cleanliness wasn’t up to modern standards.
In addition to the Ancient Egyptians we mentioned earlier, the Romans used sticks with frayed ends and the Greeks opted for cloths to clean their chompers.
However, the year 1498 was perhaps the most significant one when it came to the toothbrush invention.
That’s because, roughly 800 years ago, the Chinese created something that clearly had the origins of the modern toothbrush.
Realising that the bamboo sticks they were using to scrub their teeth could do with some modification to properly clean gaps between their teeth, the Chinese added hog’s hair to the device. As well as bamboo, animal bones were sometimes used as toothbrush handles and this hair became the first bristles implemented on a brush.
From this point on, bristles started to be added to the toothbrushes of other countries and were quickly adopted in Europe. However, many Europeans opted for horse hair, or even feathers, rather than hog as it was regarded as softer on the teeth and mouth.
Who Invented The Toothbrush?
While the Chinese may be credited with adding bristles to toothbrushes, the first ‘modern’ toothbrush and the one that is most reminiscent of what we use today, was created by an English man.
A chap by the name of William Addis found himself in prison in 1780 after inciting a riot. Realising he didn’t have a device to clean his teeth with, Addis set about adapting a cow bone he came across in the clink.
He carved the bone into a handle, drilled holes into it and added boar hair for bristles that were kept in place with a wire. While the brush was similar to what the Chinese had created centuries sooner, what set Addis apart was that he saw a gap in the market for such a device.
Upon leaving prison he started selling toothbrushes, and died an extremely wealthy individual. In 1844, Addis’ initial design was adapted to incorporate the first-ever three-row toothbrush.
In 1938, animal hairs were removed from toothbrushes when nylon was invented by the company Dupont de Nemours. Nylon was considered a more hygienic option that was also softer on the teeth.
However, despite the years of development, brushing one’s teeth twice a day only really took off after the conclusion of the Second World War in 1945. It’s believed that the rigorous military training and emphasis on hygiene during the conflict saw many soldiers continue the practice once they returned home, something that rubbed off on the rest of the population.
By the 1950s it was standard practice, with many households preferring softer bristles.
When Was The Electric Toothbrush Invented?
These days, consumers have a wide range of toothbrush options with many of us deciding an electric toothbrush is the way to go.
Not only is it considered a more hygienic choice than a manual brush, an electric toothbrush is often far more convenient as the rotating motion of the bristles does all the work for you.
However, this has not always been the case and when brushing your teeth twice a day became more widespread in the 1930s and 40s, people didn’t have much choice.
This changed in 1954 when the world’s first electric toothbrush was invented by Dr. Philipe Guy Woog in Switzerland. Known as the Broxodent, it was a huge hit and was soon on the market in France and other European countries.
By 1959 the electric toothbrush had been officially introduced to the American Dental Association and the industry didn’t look back.
In summary, many people have contributed to the invention of the toothbrush. From humble beginnings in ancient China to innovation from a convicted criminal William Addis, it’s fair to say the toothbrush has been through a few different guises. These days, it’s a fundamental part of daily life and that is sure to be the case for many years to come.
Last modified: August 1, 2023
