The Toothbrush
During the Middle Ages, wealthy Europeans used twigs made out of sweet-smelling wood to clean their teeth.
In 1498, the Emperor of China implanted hog bristles in a bone handle. This style of hogtoothbrush became popular throughout Asia and Europe. However, because of the cost of hog bristles, poor people could not afford individual toothbrushes, so a whole family would share the same toothbrush.
Believe it or not, most Americans didn't brush their teeth until soldiers brought the Army's enforced brushing habit back home from World War II.
The first real electric toothbrush was developed in Switzerland in 1939.
Above article from: http://www.massdental.org/content.aspx?id=1458
Kenyon Louis P DDS
Tel: 508-758-4818
28 Fairhaven Road
Mattapoisett , MA 02739 USA
