We are living in a modern, sophisticated world. Gone are the days of brushing with a smashed stick. Today we have a huge variety of toothbrushes (musical, 360 degrees, battery-charged) filling the shelves of supermarkets and drug stores.

But have you ever thought about how the toothbrush came into existence? The toothbrush has a long history.

Brushing one’s teeth has long been considered an important part of daily hygiene. As long ago as 3000 BC ancient Egyptians constructed crude toothbrushes from twigs and leaves to clean their teeth. Similarly, other cultures such as the Greeks, Romans and Indians cleaned their teeth with twigs.

In the 17th Century, Europeans often used rags or sponges, dipped in sulfur oil or a salt solution, to rub their teeth clean. Sometimes these rags were attached to a stick to help reach the back teeth, but the teeth were essentially being mopped, rather than brushed. From this practice evolved the first toothbrush, invented in 1780 by William Addis of Clerkenwall, England.

The advantages of brushing

Modern medical research has shown that brushing teeth properly can prevent cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal, or gum, disease, which causes at least one-third of adult tooth loss.

Gum disease occurs when plaque builds up, forming a gelatinous film that coats the teeth and gums. Plaque consists of about 75% bacteria and it grows quickly. If teeth are not brushed correctly and frequently, it could lead to the calcification of saliva minerals, forming tartar. So never stop brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

(With inputs from the Internet)