The short answer: No single person invented the toothbrush. People cleaned their teeth with frayed chew sticks as early as 3000 BC, and the first bristle toothbrush, made with stiff hog hairs on a bone or bamboo handle, appeared in China in 1498. William Addis began mass-producing toothbrushes in England around 1780, nylon bristles replaced animal hair in 1938, and the first electric toothbrush, the Broxodent, was marketed in the 1950s. Whatever the design, what matters most today is brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
The history of the toothbrush is far older than the plastic brush in your bathroom. Ancient civilizations were cleaning their teeth with chew sticks by about 3000 BC (Library of Congress, 2025), and microscopic grooves on Neanderthal teeth suggest that our extinct relatives were picking their teeth long before that (Estalrrich et al., 2017).
This article traces the toothbrush from twigs and toothpicks to the first bristle brush, mass production, nylon, electric and smart brushes, and explains what the research says about choosing one today.
Prefer to watch? Here is this article as an 8-minute video.
More short videos: see them all on our Videos page or subscribe on YouTube.
How did people clean their teeth before toothbrushes?
Toothpicks in the Stone Age
Some of the oldest evidence of tooth cleaning is worn into teeth themselves. Examining 204 Neanderthal teeth from El Sidrón in Spain and Hortus in France, researchers found fine parallel scratches on the sides of the teeth near the gumline. When they reproduced the marks by rubbing teeth with grass stalks, the scratches matched the early stages of “toothpick grooves,” and they appeared in 8 of 9 individuals from Hortus and 9 of 11 from El Sidrón (Estalrrich et al., 2017).
One Neanderthal upper jaw from Cova Foradà, also in Spain, shows heavy wear, gum disease and two grooves between the back teeth. The researchers who studied it think this individual used some kind of dental probe to try to ease the pain (Lozano et al., 2013).
Chew sticks
The earliest true tooth-cleaning tool was the chew stick: a thin twig with one end chewed or frayed into bristles and rubbed against the teeth, in use since about 3000 BC (Library of Congress, 2025). Chewing sticks made from the twigs, stems or roots of many different plants have been used for thousands of years across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. They are still common in many countries because of religion or tradition and because they are cheap, simple and easy to find, and the World Health Organization has encouraged their use (Wu et al., 2001).
Does a miswak clean teeth as well as a toothbrush?
The best-known chew stick is the miswak, usually cut from the Salvadora persica tree, with neem (Azadirachta indica) another common source. Pooling nine randomized trials in adults, a 2022 meta-analysis found that a miswak used on its own reduced plaque and gum inflammation about as well as a toothbrush, and that adding a miswak to toothbrushing reduced both more than toothbrushing alone. The authors noted that the trials described poorly how and how often people used the sticks (Ramli et al., 2022).
Chewing sticks seem to work through a combination of mechanical cleaning and extra saliva flow, and laboratory studies suggest that natural antimicrobial compounds in some plants may leach into the mouth (Wu et al., 2001). What a stick can’t do on its own is deliver fluoride. Cochrane evidence shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities compared with non-fluoride toothpaste (Walsh et al., 2019), so using a miswak alongside brushing with fluoride toothpaste, rather than instead of it, keeps both benefits (Ramli et al., 2022). The guide to fluoride explains how it protects enamel.
Who invented the toothbrush?
The bristle toothbrush, similar to the kind used today, was invented in China in 1498. Its bristles were stiff hairs taken from the necks of hogs and fixed to a handle of bone or bamboo (Library of Congress, 2025). No individual inventor is recorded, so the honest answer to “who invented the toothbrush?” is that it developed over centuries, with China producing the first brush recognizable as a modern toothbrush.
Who made the first mass-produced toothbrush?
The first mass-produced toothbrush was made by William Addis in England around 1780 (Library of Congress, 2025). According to Hertford Museum, which holds the company’s archive, Addis made his first brush while imprisoned in Newgate for starting a riot, apparently inspired by seeing someone brushing a floor. Early Addis brushes had handles of bone or ivory filled with natural bristles imported from Europe, Russia and China (Hertford Museum, n.d.).
The business he founded kept innovating. Plastic arrived in the 1920s, when Addis began making machine-filled toothbrushes with celluloid handles, and Hertford Museum now cares for around 3,300 Addis toothbrushes, which it describes as the largest collection of toothbrushes in the world (Hertford Museum, n.d.).
Across the Atlantic, the first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth, who received patent number 18,653 on November 7, 1857, and mass production of toothbrushes in the United States began around 1885 (Library of Congress, 2025).
When did toothbrushes get nylon bristles?
Animal bristles were standard until 1938, when nylon bristles were introduced by DuPont (Library of Congress, 2025). That year a company called Dr. West’s began packing the heads of its Dr. West’s Miracle-Tuft Toothbrush with nylon threads and advertised it as fully waterproof, with greater cleansing and longer life. By then many handles were made of celluloid, a strong, moldable early plastic, rather than bone (Borunda, 2019).
When did brushing your teeth become a daily habit?
Owning a toothbrush and using it every day are different things. In the United States, the Library of Congress notes that Americans were later influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of soldiers in World War II, and nylon brushes became the norm (Library of Congress, 2025).
Today, brushing twice a day is a social norm, and the research backs it up. In a review of 33 studies, people who said they brushed infrequently had about 50% higher odds of developing new cavities than frequent brushers (odds ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 1.69), and the link was stronger in baby teeth than in adult teeth (Kumar et al., 2016). For the full routine, see how to prevent cavities.
Who invented the electric toothbrush?
The first electric toothbrush, the Broxodent, was invented by P.G. Woog in Switzerland and marketed in the 1950s. The first devices were made in Geneva, and Woog’s aim was to massage the gums, dislodge food debris and remove dental plaque (Broxo, n.d.). One of the first electric toothbrushes on the American market, in 1960, was the Broxodent, sold by the Squibb company (Library of Congress, 2025).
Do electric toothbrushes clean better?
Modestly, yes. A Cochrane review found that, compared with manual brushing, powered toothbrushes reduced plaque by 11% over one to three months and by 21% over longer periods, and reduced gum inflammation by 6% and 11% over the same periods (Yaacob et al., 2014). The American Dental Association (ADA) says both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque (American Dental Association, 2026). Whether one is worth buying is covered in electric vs. manual toothbrushes.
Do smart toothbrushes work?
Smart toothbrushes connect to a phone app that tracks where and how long you brush. In a six-month trial at a dental hospital in South Korea, 150 adults were randomly assigned to an app-connected toothbrush with real-time feedback and weekly reviews by dental professionals, an oscillating-rotating powered brush with app guidance, or a manual brush with a brushing diary. Plaque fell more in the connected-toothbrush group than in either of the other groups, although participants rated the standard powered brush as more satisfying to use (Kim et al., 2025).
The trial’s authors credit the dental professionals’ feedback for the improvement and call for more research on how to keep people using these devices over the long term (Kim et al., 2025). In people with braces, a 2026 review of 37 studies found that smartphone apps and text reminders reduced plaque, but rated the evidence as very low to low quality (Tahamtan et al., 2026).
Are bamboo toothbrushes better for the environment?
Plastic toothbrushes create a lot of waste. National Geographic reported that about a billion toothbrushes are thrown away in the United States each year, most of them plastic, and that many can’t be recycled because their mixed plastics are hard to separate (Borunda, 2019).
A study that compared the environmental impact of four types of toothbrush over five years found that the electric toothbrush had the greatest impact in 15 of 16 categories, while bamboo toothbrushes and plastic brushes with replaceable heads had the lowest impact in every category. The climate change impact of the electric toothbrush was 11 times that of the bamboo brush (Lyne et al., 2020). Most bamboo brushes still have nylon bristles, so that part still ends up as waste (Borunda, 2019).
How should you choose a toothbrush today?
Five centuries after hog bristles, the ADA’s advice is simple: use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle pressure, which may help reduce the risk of injuring your gums. Manual and powered brushes both work, and products carrying the ADA Seal have provided scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness (American Dental Association, 2026).
Replace your toothbrush about every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become matted or frayed. Store it upright so it can air-dry, because keeping a damp brush in a closed container encourages more microbial growth, and don’t share it (American Dental Association, 2026). See how often to replace your toothbrush for the signs it’s time.
What it means for you
If you’re choosing between manual, electric and smart brushes
A powered brush gives a modest edge in plaque removal (Yaacob et al., 2014), but a soft manual brush used well is effective too (American Dental Association, 2026). The habit matters more than the gadget: brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is linked to fewer cavities (Kumar et al., 2016; Walsh et al., 2019). A smart brush may help if you’ll actually use its feedback (Kim et al., 2025). Our daily dental hygiene routine puts it all together.
If you use a miswak or chewing stick
Trials suggest a miswak can clean about as well as a toothbrush and may improve gum health when added to brushing (Ramli et al., 2022). Keep using fluoride toothpaste as well, since the stick alone provides no fluoride (Walsh et al., 2019).
If you want a greener toothbrush
Bamboo brushes and plastic brushes with replaceable heads have the smallest environmental footprint (Lyne et al., 2020). Whatever you choose, still replace it every three to four months (American Dental Association, 2026).
Questions to ask your dentist
- Is a soft manual toothbrush enough for me, or would a powered brush help?
- Am I brushing too hard, or missing any areas?
- Would an app or a brush with feedback help me improve?
- If I use a miswak, how should I combine it with fluoride toothpaste?
When to see a dentist
Book a dental visit if:
- Your gums bleed when you brush or clean between your teeth.
- Your gums feel sore after brushing, or your bristles splay out within a few weeks.
- Your teeth have become sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods.
- You’re not sure your brushing technique or toothbrush is right for you.
Our guide to gum disease and bleeding gums explains what bleeding can mean. For severe pain, swelling or a knocked-out tooth, see what to do in a dental emergency.
The bottom line
The toothbrush has no single inventor. Chew sticks date back to about 3000 BC, the first bristle brush appeared in China in 1498, William Addis mass-produced brushes in England around 1780, nylon replaced animal hair in 1938, and electric brushes arrived in the 1950s. Powered and smart brushes offer modest extra benefits, and bamboo or replaceable-head brushes are kinder to the environment, but the essentials haven’t changed: a soft brush, gentle pressure, fluoride toothpaste, twice a day.
References
American Dental Association. (2026). Toothbrushes. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
Borunda A. (2019). Your plastic toothbrush is a bigger problem than you realize. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/story-of-plastic-toothbrushes
Broxo. (n.d.). History. https://www.broxo.com/en/histoire
Estalrrich A, Alarcón JA, Rosas A. (2017). Evidence of toothpick groove formation in Neandertal anterior and posterior teeth. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162(4), 747–756. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23166
Hertford Museum. (n.d.). Toothbrushes. https://www.hertfordmuseum.org/toothbrushes
Kim J, Choi Y, Song Y, Park W. (2025). Smartphone-based telemonitoring for better oral health with toothbrushes: 6-month randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e65128. https://doi.org/10.2196/65128
Kumar S, Tadakamadla J, Johnson NW. (2016). Effect of toothbrushing frequency on incidence and increment of dental caries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dental Research, 95(11), 1230–1236. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034516655315
Library of Congress. (2025). Who invented the toothbrush and when was it invented? https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/technology/item/who-invented-the-toothbrush-and-when-was-it-invented/
Lozano M, Subirà ME, Aparicio J, Lorenzo C, Gómez-Merino G. (2013). Toothpicking and periodontal disease in a Neanderthal specimen from Cova Foradà site (Valencia, Spain). PLoS One, 8(10), e76852. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076852
Lyne A, Ashley P, Saget S, Porto Costa M, Underwood B, Duane B. (2020). Combining evidence-based healthcare with environmental sustainability: Using the toothbrush as a model. British Dental Journal, 229(5), 303–309. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1981-0
Ramli H, Nor Aripin KN, Mohd Said S, Mohamad Hanafiah R, Mohd Dom TN. (2022). The effectiveness of miswak (Salvadora persica L. and Azadirachta indica A.Juss.) practices in reducing plaque and gingivitis among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 298, 115598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115598
Tahamtan S, Kachuie M, Salmani E. (2026). The effectiveness of smartphone applications and active text reminders on oral hygiene and periodontal status of orthodontic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.70097
Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. (2019). Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3(3), CD007868. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007868.pub3
Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. (2001). Chewing sticks: Timeless natural toothbrushes for oral cleansing. Journal of Periodontal Research, 36(5), 275–284. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0765.2001.360502.x
Yaacob M, Worthington HV, Deacon SA, Deery C, Walmsley AD, Robinson PG, et al. (2014). Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014(6), CD002281. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub3
References checked October 2026 · Editorial policy · Report a correction
Discover more from HappyTeeth.Care
One email a month with new guides and one study, explained. Join and get a free printable dental emergency card. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
