Posted by | Posted in Teeth Whitening Advice, Teeth Whitening Articles | Posted on 08-08-2009
A toothbrush is a device used to clean the teeth. This device is made up of a handle, mostly made of plastic for manual and common types and filled with a brush on one end. There are various types of toothbrushes: the regular type of toothbrush commonly found in various stores anywhere in the world; the natural-bristle toothbrushes and the electric toothbrushes. Most often these toothbrushes come in various levels of rigidity of the bristles: soft, medium or stiff/hard. Commonly, toothbrushes are partnered with a toothpaste, a substance which often contains fluoride and is considered a cleaning agent.
The history of the toothbrush dates back in the ancient times, but historians noted that toothbrushes was originally a chewing stick or what we call today as toothpicks. Other cultures in various parts of the world use substances aside from chewing sticks, such as in Asia, chewing guava leaves help clean the teeth (of course these have to be spit and with the help of water, the mouth is rinsed through gargling); muslims and other cultures came up with a chalk-like substance to chew on to clean the teeth and gums. In 1780, the toothbrush was mass-produced in England and the first patent for toothbrush was made by H.N. Wadsworth in 1850 in the United States. Toothbrushes then were commonly maid of animal hair (now called natural bristle toothbrushes). These were soon replaced by synthetic materials which are easier and faster to produce.
Today, various brands are available worldwide.
As the world evolved and various inventions came to place, the toothbrush also elevated and caught the inventors’ interest. Thus the Electric toothbrush was developed in Switzerland in 1961. This type of toothbrush is either battery (cell) operated or has a cord plugged to an electric source.
Toothpaste, on the other hand, comes usually in a paste or gel form and is always used with a toothbrush. This add-on effectively improves oral hygiene. It helps in removing plaque from the teeth and helps in eliminating odors. Today, toothpastes come in various colors and consistency and infused with various chemicals and substances that enhance the teeth or kill more bacteria. Most toothbrush users around the world consider toothpaste an absolute need when you brush your teeth.
