The history of the toothbrush The first forerunners of the toothbrush appeared as early as 3500–3000 BC. BC e. These were branches of trees with a disheveled end, which the inhabitants of Babylon and Ancient Egypt used to brush their teeth. Such “tooth sticks” were discovered by archaeologists in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. Around 1600 BC. e. The Chinese began to make chewing sticks from fragrant tree branches that freshened their breath. It is believed that the first real toothbrush with natural bristles was invented in the 15th century in China. The tool was a handle made of bone or bamboo, on which bristles cut from the nape of a wild boar were fixed. When the Asian innovation reached Europe, its design changed slightly: instead of coarse pig bristles, softer horsehair or bird feathers were used. The toothbrush, similar in design to the modern dentifrice, was created by the Englishman William Eddis around 1780. He drilled holes in a piece of cow bone and passed tufts of pig bristles through them, securing them with glue. More than half a century later, in 1844, the first three-row bristle toothbrush was introduced. The transition from natural bristles to artificial fibers in the production of toothbrushes became possible only in the 1930s when nylon was invented in the laboratories of the American chemical company DuPont. The first nylon bristle toothbrush appeared as early as 1938. Despite the tangible benefits, the new brushes remained fairly stiff until manufacturing techniques were improved in 1950 and the hairs became softer.
The first electric toothbrush was created back in 1939, but the mass production of electric toothbrushes was only established in 1960 with the release of the Broxodent model. Today, there is a wide range of mechanical and electric toothbrushes on the market for every taste. Modern designs have straight or curved plastic handles with a soft rubberized surface, making them so easy and comfortable to hold in your hand. The bristles are usually made from synthetic fibers and vary in stiffness. Toothbrush heads also vary in size and shape, from tiny ones for toddlers to larger ones for older children and adults, from rectangular and oblong to oval and nearly round. And although the general design of the toothbrush has remained virtually unchanged since ancient times, thanks to the constant development of technology, a simple stick with bristles has turned into a modern, ergonomic and safe tool that has incorporated the latest achievements of science.
[29/04, 19:11] Elena: The history of toothpaste Historians believe that as early as 5000 BC. e. The ancient Egyptians used special mixtures to clean their teeth. It is known that the ancient Greeks and Romans also used cleaning powder, but in China and India, it appeared only in 500 BC. e. The ancient prototypes of toothpaste performed the same functions as their modern counterparts: they ensured the cleanliness of the oral cavity, whitened teeth, and freshened breath. However, the ingredients of ancient tooth powders were very different. The Egyptians made them from the ashes left after the burning of bull hooves, crushed burnt eggshells, and pumice.
The Greeks and Romans included polishing and abrasive substances, such as crushed bones and oyster shells, as well as ash and plant roots, in the mixture. In addition, various flavorings were often used as ingredients, which improved the taste of the powder and helped get rid of bad breath. The inhabitants of ancient China made toothpaste from many different ingredients, including ginseng, mint, and salt.
More than one century passed before toothpaste acquired its usual form. The appearance of more or less modern samples of dental mixtures is attributed to the beginning of the 19th century. Many of them contained soap in their composition. In the 1800s in England, betel nut was added to tooth powder. Recipes from the 1850s mention chalk among other ingredients, and an encyclopedia from the 1860s tells how to make toothpaste at home using ground charcoal.
Until the middle of the 19th century, dentifrices were sold primarily in the form of powders. In the 1850s, the first toothpaste appeared in a jar called Crème Dentifrice. In 1873, the Colgate Company began mass-producing toothpaste in jars, and in the 1890s, the first Colgate toothpaste was introduced in a tube-like those that are familiar to each of us.
[29/04, 19:11] Elena: Before 1945, most pastes included soap, which later gave way to sodium lauryl sulfate. This substance, which gives the paste a smooth and uniform texture, is still a popular ingredient in modern hygiene products. In the second half of the 20th century, toothpaste began to appear, designed to prevent various oral diseases and relieve symptoms such as tooth sensitivity. Especially popular were fluoride toothpaste for caries protection, the first samples of which were created in 1914. Low-abrasive toothpaste were also invented to avoid damage to the enamel from overzealous brushing. Today, toothpaste may contain fluorides, colors, flavors, sweeteners, as well as ingredients that make the toothpaste smooth and foamy and prevent it from drying out. Toothpaste in tubes continues to be used all over the world, remaining one of the most useful inventions.