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Dental tools, including toothbrushes, have been around far longer than you imagine. Archaeologists have discovered evidence of simple toothbrushes dating back to 3500 BC when the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used sticks that were chewed until fibres formed on one end, making a makeshift toothbrush. Later, people learned to use a herbal chewing stick called Miswak, which had antiseptic and healing qualities. 

Around 1500, dentists in China discovered that hairs plucked off the backs of pigs could be inserted into animal bones or bamboo sticks to make a primitive toothbrush. Other variations of toothbrushes included porcupine quills and boar bristles, and even bird feathers.

The Invention of the Modern Toothbrush

The invention of the modern toothbrush is attributed to William Addis, who began making toothbrushes while in prison using bones and bristles. After his release, William created a version using cow hair tied to a cow bone before eventually creating versions that could be mass-produced and sold worldwide.

The Invention of the Daily Oral Care Routine

Nowadays, we all know we need to brush our teeth at least twice a day, but this simple routine only began a short while ago after soldiers fighting during the world wars were instructed to clean their teeth following strict oral care routines. Once they returned home, they bought this habit with them.

The First Nylon Toothbrush

During the first world war, toothbrush handles were made from celluloid, and it wasn’t until 1938 that DuPont introduced the first nylon bristles.

The First Electric Toothbrush

The first electric toothbrush was invented in Switzerland in 1939 and was originally meant for people who tended to over brushing teeth. However, electric toothbrushes weren’t introduced to the public until the 1960s.

Modern Toothbrushes

Now, there are multiple versions of electric toothbrushes available, including some that allow you to follow a toothbrushing routine on an app and which will even show you where you need to brush more thoroughly. If you wish, you can spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy electric toothbrush that will alert you if you are brushing too hard, tell you when it’s time to change your toothbrush head and have multiple settings for different brushing routines. These routines include those designed for gum health, tooth whitening, or normal or deeper cleans.

Kids can have their own electric toothbrushes, in bright colours or shaped like their favourite cartoon figures and some of which will play a song making it easy to brush for the full two minutes each time.

However, even if you buy a top-of-the-range electric toothbrush, it will not work well unless you use it properly and regularly. You still need to spend the full two minutes or longer brushing your teeth thoroughly and methodically at least twice daily. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a toothbrush, then there is no need, and even a manual brush will work just as well when used correctly. If you are interested in learning more about which toothbrush to use, please ask us for help and advice.

Leaving a tooth out for the Tooth Fairy in exchange for cash is a time-honoured tradition, but the costs of paying for newly shed teeth can mount up fast, even for magical beings. While we are in a cost-of-living crisis, it can be hard for a Tooth Fairy to justify paying out a lot of money, especially when a child still has several more teeth to lose shortly. A recent study discovered that payments from the Tooth Fairy have decreased by 10% over the past five years. The UK-based study surveyed 5000 parents and found the payments varied tremendously, from just a pound or two right up to ten pounds in the wealthier areas of London. 

The survey also questioned what the money is spent on, and over a third of parents replied that their children would buy sweets, which would definitely bring a frown to the Tooth Fairy’s face. Just under a third of children spent their money on toys, while just over a fifth decided to save their money. Far fewer spent their money on books, and only 5% spent it on clothes. Sadly some children never get to experience the fun of having the Tooth Fairy visit.

As a family-oriented dental practice, we generally find that the Tooth Fairy has an important role to play in dental health. Children who are visited by the Tooth Fairy each time they lose a tooth are also more likely to take their dental health seriously. Knowing they will get a visit from the Tooth Fairy encourages these children to brush their teeth more thoroughly, thus avoiding tooth decay. Knowing about the Tooth Fairy helps build a positive view of dentistry and can help reduce childhood fears and phobias about seeing the dentist in some children.

Most children have a complete set of twenty baby teeth by age three. They begin losing these baby teeth, called milk or primary teeth, around age five or six. It can take six years or even longer before a child has their complete set of twenty-eight adult teeth firmly in place. The very last to arrive are wisdom teeth. These teeth don’t come through until at least the late teens, or during the early twenties or even later. 

If you have a young child due to a visit from the Tooth Fairy shortly, you might be trying to decide how much they should leave. However, while a gift of money is traditionally given, this doesn’t need to be the case, especially if the Tooth Fairy feels strapped for cash. An alternative might be a promise of a special day out, reading a child’s favourite story, doing another fun activity together, or cooking them a nice meal. If your child is a bit older, they may be ready to understand that the Tooth Fairy might not be real, but they might want to keep the pretence going for a bit longer with the promise of a gift. 

Getting older carries a higher risk of dental problems, including oral infections and tooth decay. Tooth loss is normally due to tooth infections and can make it significantly trickier to eat comfortably, so it is harder to chew certain foods, including those that are more nutritious and can negatively affect appearance. Complete tooth loss is less common in developed countries such as Australia, where many people have grown up with the benefit of improved oral health care. However, it can still frequently occur.

As we age, the risk of gum disease is also higher, which is a real concern. Not only can gum disease cause tooth loss, but it can also affect general health. Severe gum disease, called periodontitis, affects as many as two-thirds of the population over sixty-five. The bacteria that cause this disease can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums. Once in the blood, they can travel throughout the body, potentially impacting heart health or increasing the risk of problems like diabetes, respiratory illnesses, or dementia. Sometimes people will need clearance from their dentist in preparation for heart treatment, especially heart valve replacements, and might need antibiotics if they have any signs of advanced periodontitis. 

Dry mouth or xerostomia is another frequent complaint when getting older. A lack of saliva is often a side effect of medications, and drier conditions in the mouth allow harmful bacteria to thrive, increasing the risk of dental diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. 

How We Can Help Our Older Patients Maintain Good Oral Health 

If you are getting older, preventive dentistry is even more important for maintaining strong teeth and healthy gums and protecting overall health. We provide every patient with a preventive dental care plan that is continually adjusted as they age. It is designed to help you gain and maintain optimal oral health easily so you enjoy a healthy smile and protect your general health, even during older age. Regular dental checkups are especially important so we can monitor your oral health closely and provide any necessary treatment more quickly, making you less likely to suffer from tooth loss or more significant oral health problems. If you have issues like dry mouth, we can work with you to minimise its impact on oral health, perhaps by recommending more frequent hygiene appointments or using a saliva substitute to help your mouth feel moister and more comfortable. Our dental team can also work with you to ensure you have an excellent daily oral care routine and use the best toothbrush, toothpaste and flossing tools for your needs. 

You can help protect your dental health by eating healthily and avoiding too many sugary or starchy foods that could cause tooth decay. Instead, include plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and whole grains in your diet, which will help protect your oral and general health. If you smoke, try to quit, as it greatly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer.