The history of toothbrushes can go back, as far as we can tell, to about 3500 B.C. with the use of frayed twigs as noted in ancient Egyptian tombs. The first natural bristle toothbrush was probably developed by the Chinese in the 1400s using pigs hair and either bamboo or bones as a handle. Europeans then modified this Chinese invention utilizing horse hairs or even feathers.
William Addis from England developed the more modern design in 1780 and in 1844 the first three-row bristle brush was designed. In 1938 nylon bristles became the way to go and in the 1950s softer bristles were developed much like the ones we use today. The first widely used electric toothbrush in the US was around 1960 though can be traced to a design from 1939.
Today we recommend a soft bristle brush that is wet first to minimize tooth wear or gum irritation. It can be either a manual toothbrush or an electric or battery powered one. We recommend a very soft touch as well. With children we want to focus on the teeth themselves, especially the biting surfaces and in adults we want to emphasize the part of the tooth where it meets the gum as adults are more susceptible to gum or periodontal disease.
As far as toothpaste goes, we recommend a fluoride containing toothpaste that will help prevent cavities in all.
(The information contained in this article is strictly for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the professional knowledge or advice of your personal dentist.)
