The history of brushing teeth does not point to a single inventor, but rather describes a long, evolving process across various cultures. Oral hygiene has been a consistent concern for millennia, prompting societies to develop unique tools and methods. The history of brushing is best understood as a series of global innovations, from simple twigs to the sophisticated tools used today. Modern brushing results from parallel developments in both the mechanical tool and the abrasive paste.
Early Global Practices
Long before the bristled brush, ancient civilizations employed various methods to maintain oral health. One of the earliest and most widespread tools was the chewing stick, dating back to the Babylonians around 3500 BCE. These were typically aromatic twigs, such as the Salvadora persica tree (Miswak), chewed until one end became frayed and brush-like. The frayed end scrubbed the teeth, and the twig’s aromatic properties helped freshen breath.
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans also developed abrasive powders to remove debris and polish tooth surfaces. The Egyptians, as far back as 5000 BCE, created rudimentary tooth powders using ingredients like crushed rock salt, mint, pepper, and dried iris flowers. Other ancient formulas included abrasive materials such as crushed bones, burnt eggshells, pumice, and oyster shells, applied with a finger or a rough cloth.
The Origin of the Bristled Brush
The innovation most closely resembling the modern toothbrush originated in China, likely during the Ming Dynasty around the 15th century. This was the first known instance of attaching stiff animal hairs to a handle to create a dedicated scrubbing tool. Handles were typically crafted from bone or bamboo, using coarse hair sourced from the back of a hog’s neck.
When this design reached Europe, traders found hog bristles too harsh for European gums. Europeans adapted the design, substituting softer animal hairs, such as horsehair, or feathers. A significant step toward mass-production came in 1780 in England with William Addis. While in prison, Addis carved a bone handle and inserted tufts of boar bristles secured with wire. Upon his release, he established a company to mass-produce this design, transitioning the bristle brush into a commercially available item.
The Parallel History of Toothpaste
The development of dentifrice, the cleaning agent used with the brush, followed a separate historical path. Ancient powders were the precursors to modern toothpaste, evolving from Egyptian abrasive mixtures to the Roman use of charcoal and crushed oyster shells. Throughout the 18th century, common homemade tooth powders in the West included substances like burnt toast, chalk, and salt.
A major shift occurred in the early 1800s when soap was added to tooth powders to improve cleaning action, leading to a smoother paste. The first commercially produced toothpaste was sold in jars in 1873, and collapsible tube packaging was introduced two decades later. The most significant scientific advancement came in the mid-20th century when researchers developed a formula incorporating stannous fluoride. This addition, mass-marketed in 1956, provided a chemical defense against tooth decay by strengthening enamel, changing toothpaste from a cleaning agent to a preventive medical product.
From Novelty to Daily Habit
The transition from a specialized tool to a universal daily habit was largely a 20th-century phenomenon driven by material science. A major innovation arrived in 1938 with the invention of synthetic Nylon bristles by DuPont. Nylon offered a significant improvement over animal hair because it was more durable, dried faster, and did not harbor bacteria as readily, making the toothbrush more hygienic and easier to manufacture.
Widespread adoption of daily brushing, particularly in the United States, was influenced by World War II. Soldiers were required to follow strict hygiene routines, including mandatory daily toothbrushing. Veterans returning home maintained these habits, helping to normalize regular brushing within American households. This period also saw the development of the electric toothbrush, with early models appearing around 1939, and the rise of commercial marketing to establish the standard two-minute, twice-daily routine.