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A toothbrush is a lot like a pen or a pencil. It’s something so common, and its use so ingrained in our daily lives, that we don’t even think about it. It’s just there. Yet a toothbrush is one of the most important implements in our society, and it’s certainly the singular most important piece of equipment in your bathroom for your oral and overall health. Today, our Mansfield dentists, Dr. S. Blair Jones and Dr. D. Seth Harris, offer some facts about the handy dandy toothbrush.

Just the Facts, Ma’am

  • The first toothbrush was made in 1498 in China. The handle was made of bone or bamboo and the bristles were fashioned from the hairs off the neck of a boar.
  • Boar hair was used to make bristles for toothbrushes until 1938.
  • William Addis, of Clerkenwald, England, made the first mass-produced toothbrush in 1780.
  • H.N. Wadsworth was the first American to obtain a patent for a toothbrush. It was obtained in 1857. Mass production of the toothbrush in America wouldn’t come until 1885.
  • Dupont de Nemours introduced the first nylon-bristled toothbrush in 1938. Americans were influenced by the strict hygiene practices of the military during World War II and soon became quite concerned with oral hygiene and health.
  • Always replace your toothbrush after a cold, the flu, or other illness.
  • Americans spend more than $850 million on toothbrushes each year.
  • Blue toothbrushes are the most popular color. Red is number two.
  • The first electric toothbrush was sold in Europe in 1956. It crossed the pond to the United States in 1959.
  • The average person only brushes his or her teeth for 45 to 70 seconds, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. You should brush for two to three minutes.
  • Women brush their teeth more than men.
  • Keep your toothbrush away from your toilet. When you flush, toilet particles can travel up to six feet.

Schedule an Appointment

Now you know some facts about the toothbrush. Make sure to use it twice a day and floss once a day. It’s also important to schedule cleanings and checkups every six months  To schedule a consultation with Dr. Jones or Dr. Harris, contact our Mansfield dental office at (817) 259-1357. We serve patients from Mansfield, South Arlington, Kennedale, Southeast Ft. Worth, Alvaredo, Midlothian, and the 76063 area code.