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Egyptians & Babylonians used sticks from aromatic trees as an early form of “toothbrush” to clean their teeth and freshen breath. Design: One end of the stick is chewed to create a brush-like texture, while the opposite end was sharpened to act as a pick between teeth.
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1498- first bristle "toothbrush" was invented in China. Design: Handles were constructed from animal bone, or bamboo with boar's hairs interwoven through small holes to create a bristle-like design.
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During 1780, William Addis created the first mass produced toothbrush in England because he decided that a new solution to teeth cleaning was needed due to the ineffective method used previously. (using a rag, soot, and salt) The prototype for this design began in a prison using cattle bone for a handle, and wild pig fibers for bristles.
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H.N. Wadsworth granted first patent to the toothbrush (# 18,653) in the United States.
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1888- Mass production of the toothbrush began. Design: Consitent with previous designs. Handles were made of bone, wood, metals or ivory(more expensive) while bristles consited of animal hairs. Problems with these designs- Animal hairs would continuously fall out of the handles, bacteria would be held within the bristles, and would not dry effectively.
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New designs consisting of celluloid handles(transparent plastic) and synthetic fibers (usually nylon) exploded onto the market.
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Teeth brushing became a habit in the United States as soldiers were returning from World War II bringing along their new habit.
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Switzerland invented The Broxodent the first electric toothbrush. General Electric would follow the year after.
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Johnson & Johnson introduced the “Reach” toothbrush that differed from other designs in three ways. Design:
1. Had an angled head to reach back teeth
2. bristles were concentrated more closely than usual to clean each tooth
3. Outer bristles were longer and softer than inner bristles. Johnson and Johnson divested this toothbrush in 2013. -
The toothbrush is updated again this time by George C. Collis which introduced the “Collis Curve” which was the first toothbrush with curved bristles.
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An annual survey showed that between teens/adults the toothbrush was one invention people could live without beating out the phone, computer, and cars. Toothbrushes are designed in all shapes and sizes to fit different mouth types, and come with different handles that are straight, curved, or angled.
