Did you know that the toothbrush didn’t always look like it does today? Ever wonder where the idea came from? Well, you might be surprised to learn that people have been using toothbrushes since as early as 3500 B.C. – but they looked a little different in those days.
Ancient civilizations didn’t turn to their electric toothbrush at the end of the day to freshen their breath and prevent cavities. Instead, they used chewing sticks made from twigs to clean their teeth, according to the Library of Congress. One end of the stick would be frayed slightly, and this end was used to brush excess food out of teeth.
The toothbrush as we know it was patented in America in 1857, says IncisorsAndMolars, but they weren’t mass-produced in the U.S. until 1885. It wasn’t until 1938 that manufacturers began making the bristles out of nylon rather than various animal parts.
What about the first electric toothbrush? Electric Teeth reports that an English doctor in the 1800s was the first person to claim to have produced an electric toothbrush—the only problem was that it didn’t actually use electricity. The handle was made of magnetized iron rods.
The first useable and properly electric toothbrush didn’t hit the market until 1954. This brush was invented by Dr. Woong in Switzerland, and was known as Broxodent here in the United States. It plugged into the wall, and was originally intended to be used by patients who had limited motor skills and had trouble taking care of their teeth. It didn’t become very popular until 1961, though, when General Electric introduced a cordless rechargeable brush.
Since GE’s introduction of the rechargeable cordless brush, modern technology has taken the electric toothbrush a long way, and many people choose this type of brush over a regular one. While we may still be debating which electric toothbrush or regular toothbrush is the best brand, we’ve definitely come a long way since the chewing sticks of ancient civilizations.
Of course, there’s no better way to take care of your teeth than brushing and flossing daily – and making regular visits to your dentist. Call Genesee Dental today at 585-343-1113 and speak with a member of our dental care team or schedule your next appointment online now.