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The History of the Toothbrush and Other Fun Toothbrush Facts

Early forms of the toothbrush have been in existence since 3000 BC. Ancient civilizations used a "chew stick," which was a thin twig with a frayed end. These chew sticks were rubbed against the teeth, presumably to remove particles of food.

The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was not invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a boar’s neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo.

The first mass-produced toothbrush was made by William Addis of Clerkenwald, England around 1780. The first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth, on Nov. 7, 1857. Mass production of toothbrushes began in America 125 years ago, in 1885.

Boar bristles were used until 1938, when E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) manufactured the first nylon bristle toothbrushes. Most Americans, however, did not brush their teeth regularly until after World War II; influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of the Army soldiers, Americans became increasingly concerned with the practice of good oral hygiene and quickly adopted the nylon toothbrush.

The first real electric toothbrush was developed and produced in Switzerland in 1939. In 1960, the Squibb Corporation marketed the first American electrical toothbrush in the United States under the name “Broxodent.” General Electric introduced a rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961. In 1987, Conair’s Interplak division introduced the first rotary-action electrical toothbrush for home use.

Some other interesting toothbrush facts:

• The Florence Manufacturing Company was the first to sell toothbrushes packaged in boxes.
• Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
• More people use blue toothbrushes than red ones.
• The average toothbrush contains about 2,500 bristles grouped into about 40 tufts per toothbrush.  The tufts are folded over a metal staple and forced onto pre-cored holes in the head and fused into the head with heat.  The handle is made of at least two materials, usually plastic and rubber

Sources: www.loc.gov; inventors.about.com

Posted: January 27, 2010

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