Skulls of the Cro-Magnon people, who inhabited the earth several thousand years ago, show that humans have been plagued with oral health problems for a long time. In turn, techniques for combating oral health problems have been found dating back to 2900 B.C. when Egyptians drilled holes through the jaw presumably to drain abscessed teeth.  Over time, prevention became the key to successful oral health and the toothbrush and toothpaste were developed.

The Past: Evidence of the first toothbrush suggests they were small twigs mashed at one end to increase cleaning surface. The first "modern" toothbrush found in China dates back to 1000 A.D. with bristles made from a horse's mane and handles of ivory. Toothpaste has also been around since ancient times-however, not in the tube form that consumers now associate the product. The earliest toothpastes were mixtures of powdered fruit, burnt shells, talc, and honey as well as mice, lizard livers and urine. The first electric toothbrush was marketed in 1880, though the Swiss developed the first effective electric toothbrush just after World War II.  It was introduced in the United States around 1960.  A year later, the first cordless model was developed and proved to be popular with consumers and dentists alike. 

Today: Toothbrushes with angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts and handles that change colors with use, along with tartar-control, whitening, sensitive and multi-care toothpastes are a few of the many options consumers encounter in the oral health care aisle.

With more than 3,000 toothbrush patents worldwide, sometimes choosing the best products from the myriad of options can be a dilemma for consumers.

The best toothbrush for most consumers is a small-head brush for easy access to the tooth surface with soft-rounded bristles that won't hurt your gums.  Although there are many modern adaptations to the toothbrush, the small-head soft-bristle brush has proven to be the best choice for most patients for more than fifty years.

Although manual toothbrushes do an excellent job at cleaning your teeth, I still prefer electric toothbrushes for most patients who have difficulty with oral care at home, especially for people with limited manual dexterity and for those who wear braces.

As for toothpastes, most dentists recommend toothpaste with fluoride. Since fluoride's introductions to toothpaste in 1956, there have been many new formulas created but fluoride is the most significant, proven effective in decreasing cavities and reducing plaque.  When asked which toothpaste is best to use, unless there are some specific needs or concerns the ideal brand is the one you like that has fluoride in it.

The Future: Testing is already in progress on toothbrush bristles that deliver medications through the bristles and powered cleaning devices that clean both accessible and inaccessible tooth surfaces--advancements that may help eliminate oral health disease such as decay and gum disease. But, until these products are proven safe and effective and are available to consumers, stick with the tried and true daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing and healthy eating for warding off oral health problems.

As I have said many times before, taking a proactive approach to oral health care is one of your best defenses against the ravages of oral disease.  Fifty years ago patients went to the dentist when they had a toothache and couldn't stand the pain; today visiting the dentist is a preventive measure in your oral health!  Have a great week and feel free to e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions.