Feb
We all know good dental hygiene is great for our smiles, and that brushing is the first step to getting those good dental habits. There are manual and electric, soft and hard-bristled – the options are endless. But have you ever wondered how the toothbrush came to pass? Because February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, let’s take a look back at how our smile’s best friend became so.
Did you know that the materials used initially for toothbrush bristle was cow hair or boar bristles? It was only until 1938 that commercial toothbrush stopped using other materials and opted for nylon bristles thanks to Dupont De Nemour’s introduction of “Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush”.
Toothbrushes can be traced as far back as 3,000 B.C where ancient civilizations used a thin twig with a frayed end as a makeshift toothbrush. The Chinese would then on “refine” this and in 1498, used a toothbrush made from stiff hairs from a hog’s neck and with bone or bamboo as its handle. By 1780, William Addis would invent the modern toothbrush while in prison and make money by mass-producing it.
The journey of the toothpaste, the toothbrush’s best buddy, is also quite intriguing. It’s believed that the first toothpastes were used back about 5000 years ago in Egypt using a formula consisting of oxen hooves, pumice and burnt eggshells.
As we celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month, let us not forget to teach our children the basics of proper oral hygiene. This includes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing with it for two minutes twice a day, flossing at least once and visiting the dentist as regularly as every six months.
To set up an appointment, call Dr. Middleton’s office in Riverside, CA at (951) 470-3379 or through the website.
Dr. Gerald Middleton proudly accepts patients from Riverside and all surrounding areas.
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