Braces have been around for centuries, long before the toothbrush as we know it today. In fact, the first recorded use of braces dates back to ancient Egypt, where people would use a combination of metal wires and catgut to straighten their teeth.
But it wasn’t until the 18th century that braces began to resemble the ones we know today. In 1728, French dentist Pierre Fauchard published a book called “The Surgeon Dentist” in which he described a device he called a “bandeau,” which was a strip of metal that could be worn over the teeth to straighten them.
This was a significant development in the history of braces because it allowed people to straighten their teeth without having to resort to more invasive methods, such as pulling teeth or cutting them down. It also made braces more accessible to the general public, as they were no longer only available to the wealthy.
However, the toothbrush as we know it today wasn’t invented until the 19th century. In 1857, a man named William Addis was imprisoned for causing a disturbance in a public place. While in jail, he noticed that the prisoners had to clean their teeth with rags, which led him to invent the first mass-produced toothbrush.
The toothbrush was made of boar bristles, which were stiff and not very effective at cleaning teeth. It wasn’t until the 20th century that nylon bristles were introduced, which made toothbrushes much more effective at removing plaque and preventing tooth decay.
Today, braces and toothbrushes are essential tools for maintaining good oral hygiene and keeping teeth healthy. While they may seem like simple inventions, they have revolutionized the way we care for our teeth and have helped countless people achieve a perfect smile.
