A toothbrush is a seemingly simple little tool that we use every day (or at least, we should be using it every day!). Do you ever stop and think about where it came from? The drugstore from which you probably bought it obviously didn’t invent it. So who did? Test your knowledge with Dr. Amanda Foust’s toothbrush trivia!
1. The bristle toothbrush that we use today was first constructed during the 15th century. What were the bristles made from?
a. Cotton
b. Pig hairs
c. Dried leaves
The answer is b, pig hairs! Around 1498, the Chinese came up with the idea of attaching coarse hairs from the back of a pig’s neck to a handle made of bamboo. Don’t worry, though, today’s toothbrush bristles are made of nylon. That’s a little better than pig hair, right?
2. How often should your toothbrush be replaced?
a. Every two or three months
b. Every week
c. Every four or five months
The answer is a, every two or three months. After a while, toothbrush bristles will simply wear out and lose their effectiveness. Plus, bacteria can build up over time, making your brush very unsanitary.
3. What is the most popular toothbrush color?
a. Red
b. Yellow
c. Blue
The answer is c, blue! For some reason, the majority of people enjoy scrubbing their pearly whites with a blue brush! What color is your toothbrush?
To stay on top of all your oral hygiene needs, visit us at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, Iowa. To schedule an appointment, call (515) 965-0230. We serve patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, Ankeny, and surrounding areas.
