Have you ever thought about how people maintained their teeth back in the days without the proper use of toothbrushes and toothpaste we have today? In ancient times, people used twigs or small pieces of tree branches called a chew stick or a tooth stick to brush off any residue of their teeth. They would chew one end until it was frayed, then used the frayed end part to scrape their teeth. If they had a sharp object such as a knife they would sharpen the end of the stick to use as a toothpick.
In other places, people would use a rag dipped in salt water to clean their teeth. Some just rubbed baking soda directly onto their teeth. And as we all know, baking soda is still an ingredient in many types of toothpaste today.
Eventually, the Chinese came up with a very smart idea of attaching stiff, rough bristles from the back of a pig’s neck to a piece of bone or bamboo. News of the toothbrush spread like wildfire, but it didn’t catch on everywhere. The Europeans were having a hard time finding horse hair or feathers stiff enough to work as a toothbrush.
In the 1900s, the toothbrush went through many innovations. Plastic handles replaced the bone handles. Nylon bristles replaced animal hairs and the first successful electric toothbrush was released in the early 1960s.
So, Next time you brush your teeth think about all the renovations your toothbrush has undergone, and how our modern toothbrushes do not need any animal hair in order to clean your teeth.
What will happen if you do not brush your teeth for a day?
Well, after you finish eating or drinking anything that contains sugar, the bacteria in your mouth breaks down the sugar that’s left on your teeth. As the sugar breaks down, it turns into acid, that acid can damage the outer coating of your teeth which is what we called the “enamel” of your tooth. If not taken care of, the acid will then create holes in the tooth called cavities. In addition to cavities, you can actually get a more serious periodontal disease and even bone loss from not brushing your teeth.
“Bacteria produces some enzymes that love to eat your bones as you develop periodontal disease, then the cause becomes the effect. While the bone is being eaten up, there’s more room for bacteria to grow, so the cause is now becoming an effect and the effect is becoming the cause and the cycle starts to further bone loss.”
Many dentists recommend brushing for two minutes, twice per day, and flossing once per day. If you do not, bacteria can build up to form a clear sticky film on your teeth called plaque. Brushing your teeth regularly throughout the day can help remove the plaque and prevent it from forming. It’s very important to avoid plaque since this is the primary reason for tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease known as gingivitis start to form in the mouth.
There are many ways to avoid these potential dangers that can happen in your mouth, be sure to make regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoride rinse part of your daily routine. Routine cleanings are also important to keep up with and if you’re looking for a dentist make sure to schedule a consultation with our team at Dr. Ramon Bana DDS!