By: Elizabeth Nix

Who invented the toothbrush?

Getty Images / Glowimages
Published: August 22, 2012Last Updated: May 27, 2025

Looking for an innovative dental hygiene enthusiast to thank next time you polish your pearly whites? Turns out it’s not that simple. People have been cleaning their teeth for millennia, starting with the ancient Egyptians, who are thought to have scrubbed their choppers with a special powder made from ox hooves and eggshells as far back as 5000 B.C. The Romans opted for sticks with frayed ends, while the Greeks used rough cloths. About 800 years ago, the Chinese began fashioning proto-toothbrushes by attaching coarse animal hairs to bamboo or ivory handles; during the Middle Ages, travelers brought these devices to Europe.

Fast-forward to the late 18th century, when an Englishman named William Addis landed in jail for inciting a riot. To while away the time—and freshen up in the process—he carved a bone handle, drilled holes into it and inserted boar bristles that were held in place by wire. Addis starting mass-producing his contraption after leaving prison and died a wealthy man. In 1938 the DuPont company developed the first toothbrush with nylon fibers, which proved sturdier and more efficient than animal hairs. But in the United States, at least, it wasn’t until soldiers returned home from World War II indoctrinated with military hygiene habits that brushing one’s teeth regularly became a widespread practice.

Related Articles

A microwave oven, released in 1978 by Amana Refrigeration Inc.

While standing near a magnetron in an aerospace research facility, an engineer noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket melted—and he got an idea.

Operators in the Muzak Master Control Room, New York, New York, 1950.

Eisenhower installed 'elevator music' in the White House and NASA used it in astronaut training, but its inventor came up with many other, more impactful inventions in his lifetime.

Thomas Edison

Edison's genius was improving on others' technologies and making them more practical for the general public.

Hand-colored advertisement from the 1910s showing four children in pajamas holding giant toothbrushes leaning over a giant tube of toothpaste. Caption says: "Armed to the teeth."

The dental hygiene tools available to our ancestors have evolved—but still bear a striking resemblance to what's used today.

About the author

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Who invented the toothbrush?
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
September 12, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
May 27, 2025
Original Published Date
August 22, 2012

History Revealed

Sign up for Inside History

Get fascinating history stories twice a week that connect the past with today’s world, plus an in-depth exploration every Friday.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.More details: Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us
King Tut's gold mask
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement