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We know the toothbrush as an absolutely essential tool for keeping a healthy smile but did you know that early forms of this tool can be traced back thousands of years? That’s right! Even early civilizations realized the importance of cleaning teeth. Fortunately, we can enjoy the modern design and comfort of a toothbrush that is much different than the primitive tools first used thousands of years ago.
Whether you have all of your natural teeth or dental implants to restore missing gaps, brushing your teeth is a critical part of maintaining great oral health. Nowadays we have plenty of choices to get the job done, including options like the electric toothbrush or old-fashioned manual brush. These current toothbrush designs are a far cry from even what was used a century ago. To share more about the fascinating history of the toothbrush, dental implant provider, Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry gives his readers here in Bethlehem, PA a quick look at the progression of the toothbrush.
From Primitive to Modern: The Evolution of the Toothbrush
The earliest signs of tools used to clean teeth date back to the Babylonians and the Egyptians between 3500 BC and 3000 BC. During this time, they would create their toothbrushing tool by fraying the end of a twig. Archaeologists have even found tombs with these tooth sticks because the Egyptians believed they would need this in the afterlife. Other instances of early toothbrushes can also be found in ancient Chinese civilizations around 1600 BC. During this time, the Chinese would use chewing sticks made from aromatic tree twigs. This could help to break up dental plaque as well as freshen breath.
The first toothbrush with bristles can also be found from the Chinese in the 15 century. Bristles were made from pigs’ necks and then attached to a bamboo handle. This design was then taken to Europe where Europeans eventually used horse hairs for toothbrush bristles. Modern toothbrush design was created in 1780 by William Addis who used a handle carved from cattle bone.
The next major breakthrough in toothbrush design came with the invention of nylon. Nylon was designed for the toothbrush in 1938 and eventually soft nylon bristles were used in the 1950s. As Americans became increasingly aware of the importance of dental hygiene, more and more options were available for types of toothbrush designs.
The final breakthrough for the toothbrush occurred with the invention of the electric toothbrush, which hit the market in 1960. Today, we get to enjoy different toothbrush designs that vary in color, shape, bristles, and more. Patients can best choose a toothbrush to fit their specific needs and specific oral health concerns.
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As you can see, the history of the toothbrush is a fascinating journey from the primitive tools first used in 3000 BC. While the toothbrush is an absolutely essential tool for great oral health, more severe oral health ailments will need the help of a dental professional. Tooth loss, for example, should be addressed with restorative treatment from an experienced dental professional. Here at Lehigh Valley Oral Surgery and Implant Center, we have restored countless smiles with the help of dental implants. To learn more about the implant process, we encourage you to browse around this educational infosite. Ready to start you implant process? Contact our office today to schedule your no-obligation consultation with Dr. Chaudhry.