Teeth and Toothbrushes - Facts and Quiz

Here are some interesting facts about the history of dental care followed by a quiz about keeping your teeth healthy.

Toothbrushes

• Toothbrushes have been in existence since 3000 BC. When ancient civilizations used a "chew stick" (a thin twig with a frayed end that was rubbed against the teeth).
• In 1498 in China the ‘bristle toothbrush’ was invented. It was made from the stiff hairs from a hog's neck and a handle made from bone or bamboo.
• Boar bristles continued to be used until nylon bristles were introduced by Dupont de Nemours in 1938. It was called ‘Doctor West's Miracle Toothbrush’.
• William Addis of Clerkenwald, England, made the first mass-produced toothbrush about 1780. Read more at www.loc.gov

Ancient Toothpaste

• Toothpaste was used as long ago as 500 BC in both China and India
• Almost 5000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians had devised their formula for cleaning the teeth. It consisted of a mixture of powdered ashes of oxen hooves, pumice and a powdery mix of burnt eggshells. They probably used their fingers as toothbrushes.
• The Greeks and Romans favoured more abrasiveness and their toothpaste ingredients included crushed bones and oyster shells.
• The Romans added more flavouring to help with bad breath, as well as powdered charcoal and bark.
• The Chinese used a wide variety of substances in toothpastes over time that which included ginseng, herbal mints and salt.

Modern toothpastes -1800s.

• In 1824, a dentist named Peabody was the first person to add soap to toothpaste.
• John Harris first added chalk as an ingredient to toothpaste in the 1850s.
• In 1873, Colgate mass-produced the first toothpaste in a jar.
• In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield of Connecticut manufactured toothpaste into a collapsible tube. Sheffield's toothpaste was called Dr. Sheffield's Creme Dentifrice. Read more at Colgate.com

How much do you and your child know about teeth and looking after your teeth?

Try our quiz: (answers at the bottom)

1. How many milk teeth do children have?
   a) 10
   b) 20
   c) 30

2. How many adult teeth do grown-ups have?
   a) 20
   b) 32
   c) 102

3. How often should you brush your teeth?
   a) Once a day is all I have time for
   b) Twice a day is enough to keep them healthy – I should brush morning and night.
   c) Five times a day – I carry my toothbrush everywhere!

4. It is good to wait about half an hour after eating before brushing my teeth.
   True or false?
   
   
5. When you brush your teeth you should try to brush for 5 minutes.
   True or false?
   
   
6. I should visit the dentist every six days so that my teeth can be checked for any problems.
   True or false?
   
   
7. What does the dentist do when he or she looks at my teeth?
   a) Checks my teeth for cavities
   b) Checks my teeth and my gums
   c) Checks my teeth, gums jaw and general mouth area.
   
   
8. Sweets and chocolate are bad for your teeth?
   True or false?
   
   
9. When should you use mouthwash?
   a) before brushing
   b) after brushing
   c) both
   
   
10. Label the teeth correctly:      canine     molar    pre-molar    incisor

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