THE HISTORY OF ORAL HYGENE
   
Oral hygiene has been practiced for thousands of years. It was practiced by peoples of early history and, in addition to cleansing the body, was also a part of religious ceremonies and believed to bring about health and well-being. But how was dental hygiene practiced by our ancestors?
   
Tooth Powder in Egypt
   
Already in ancient Egypt—around 2600 B.C.—skilled doctors were producing tooth powder. They pounded pumice stone into a powder and mixed it with vinegar. The mixture would then be rubbed onto teeth with tiny sticks. This method was mainly used to treat dental ailments. Later, rinses with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) became part of the daily hygiene routine in ancient Egypt.
       
The Toothworm
   
Around 1800 BC, the people of Babylon considered an animal to be the cause of cavities—the so called “tooth worm.” This culprit was countered using incantations and herbal tinctures. Interestingly, the concept of a tooth worm could be found in many diverse cultures. It has been documented in books and illustrations from both China and Europe, as well as in accounts from the pre-Columbian Americas. Traveling merchants capitalized on this idea by selling mixtures professing healing or preventative effects.

Healthy Teeth in Antiquity
   
The first signs that dental hygiene had already become common for centuries are from ancient India (from ca. 600 BC). They evidently gargled with a colourful mixture of mustard, Bengal pepper, ginger, salt and ashes. The medicinal knowledge of Egyptians and Assyrians was further developed by the Greeks and Romans. Doctors recommended rinsing with water, rubbing one’s teeth with one’s fingers with the help of suitable plant ingredients, such as mint extract, and using a toothpick. Because having healthy, well-maintained teeth corresponded to contemporary beauty ideal, it is probable that this advice was generally followed.
       
Chew Sticks in the Orient
   
In the 6th century, the prophet Mohammed called upon his followers, “Clean your teeth; this is the way to praise God”. The faithful used frayed “chew sticks,” made from roots of the arak tree (commonly known as the “toothbrush tree”)—a method which already had been developed by Bedouins. This practice became wide spread with the dissemination of Islam between 800 and 900 AD, during which time a cleansing powder was also introduced from various ashes, glass, salt and other ingredients for severely discolored or soiled teeth. These chew sticks still enjoy a wide popularity in the Arab world.
   

Toothaches in the Middle Ages
   
For a long time, brushing remained largely unknown in Europe. During the Middle Ages, those suffering from a toothache called upon their patron saint, Appolonia, for help. A sip of wine from a goblet holding a tooth of the saint was believed to ease pain. If this was not successful, usually only tooth-pullers could help. This professional group performed its surgical duties at local markets, usually accompanied by music, jokes and magic tricks. This dental procedure was meant less to provide the patient with medical treatment, rather primarily to attract and entertain onlookers.
       
And what happened next…?
   
The German-speaking region, despite its countless political and intellectual developments, lagged consistently behind in oral hygiene in comparison to other cultures. Even in the 12th century, Hildegard of Bingen reported the appearance of the “toothworm” and the necessity of rinsing the mouth regularly to combat it. Brushing was not mentioned. A guidebook for dentistry from 1530 promoted only the outdated Greco-Roman hygiene guidelines, although in the meantime new instruments for dental care from China had been introduced, namely the predecessor to the modern toothbrush.

About 150 years later, the “toothworm” was discovered—with the aid of the microscope—to be bacteria in the saliva and plaque.

The First Toothbrushes in Europe
   
The first predecessor to the toothbrush was developed around 1800. Pig or horse bristles were boiled, bleached, cut and pasted onto a stick with pitch or glue. Few people, however, could afford these bristle-brushes; the poorer classes cleaned their teeth, if at all, by using their fingers.
Only in 1890, evidence was found that metabolic products are responsible for the development and progression of cavities and periodontosis. From this point onwards, a scientific relationship was recognized between optimal oral hygiene and healthy teeth and gums—a conclusion which has been proven to be 100 percent correct. It forms the basis of all technical, medicinal and industrial developments in this field up to the present day.

Dental Care and Technical Advancement
   
At the turn of the 20th century, it became possible to produce synthetic bristles and toothpaste. Through industrial production, toothpastes and brushes were made affordable for a larger number of people. The result: The spread of cavities could be even further reduced.