By Arthur Kezian
We use dental products on a daily basis to keep our teeth and gums healthy. The dental cleaning tools and techniques we use today are much different than those used by our ancestors. Let’s take a look at the history of dental hygiene!
Origins of the Toothbrush
The first people to use a toothbrush were the Hindus, in India, circa 4000 B.C. They chewed the frayed end of a twig to remove food particles and plaque from their teeth. In 1780, William Addis created the first toothbrush while he was in jail. He tied horsehair into tufts and glued them to a small animal bone. The design of the modern toothbrush was patented by H.N. Wadsworth in 1857. In 1938, nylon bristles and plastic handles were invented. Nylon was less damaging to teeth and gums than was animal hair. In 1939, Dr. Phillippe-Guy Woog invented the first electric toothbrush, called the Broxodent. Today’s standard toothbrush has more than 25,000 bristles tied together in 40 groups of tufts. Dental hygiene has come a long way!
Toothpaste
Dental toothpaste has been used in China and India since 500 B.C. Later, soap was added to toothpaste for the foaming and cleansing action. Then flavoring agents and other compounds were added to items used for dental hygiene. Last but not least, fluoride was introduced to toothpaste during World War II.
Floss
In the 1800s patients were introduced to a thin silk thread to clean between their teeth which was later made with a nylon material, a better flossing material than silk. The silk often shredded when slid between teeth, and nylon was smoother and had a more consistent texture and resistance. It’s important to clean between your teeth, and flossing is the number one way to do so but only 28 percent of people floss daily.
Dental treatments
Horace Wells developed the use of anesthesia and nitrous oxide to relive pain. In 1846, William Morton was the first person to use anesthesia for tooth extraction. Joseph Lister performed the first surgery using antiseptic in the 1860s. He created a bacteria-killing formula to sterilize his tools and prevent infections. In the 1880s, J.N. Farrar designed dental appliances and was the first person to use a gentle force to move teeth.
Dentistry is always changing. Dr. Kezian, takes continuing education courses and attends dental seminars to provide patients with the newest advances and developments in oral hygiene. Please call to make your appointment with Dr. Kezian.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777