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Brush Up On Some Toothbrush History

WITH ALL THE AMAZING technology we see today, it’s easy to overlook the small wonders of the world—like the toothbrush! This small, but remarkable invention is the staple of our oral hygiene and health. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the way the toothbrush has changed across the ages!

Ancient Civilizations Used Sticks to Clean Their Teeth

Today, we understand the importance oral hygiene plays in our overall health. But even over 5,000 years ago people recognized the need for some type of oral care. Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations around 3500-3000 B.C. made “toothbrushes” by fraying the end of sticks and chewing on them!

Later, the Chinese made similar chewing sticks from aromatic tree twigs that were meant to freshen breath. People didn’t just use sticks, however. Bird feathers, animal bones and even porcupine quills were used to pick at food debris in the teeth.

The First Toothbrushes Were Made with Pig Hair

The first mention of an actual brush to clean teeth appears in Chinese writings around the 13th century. Bamboo or animal bone was used as the handle of the toothbrush and pig hair formed the bristles. Toothbrushes weren’t widely used or produced, however, until a couple hundred years later.

Around the year 1780, an Englishman named William Addis was sitting in his prison cell thinking of better ways to clean our teeth than rubbing them with a rag full of soot and salt (yuck!). He carved a handle out of animal bone, made some holes at the top and tied swine bristles to it. When he got out of prison, he turned toothbrush production into a business and made a fortune!

The Modern Toothbrush Continues to Evolve Today

As appetizing as pig hair sounds, aren’t you glad toothbrushes nowadays are made with nylon bristles? Nylon was invented in 1938 and by the 1950s, toothbrushes began to look and feel more like they do today. More technological advances made it possible to develop toothbrushes even further, and the electric toothbrush made its way to the United States in 1960.

People are still looking to drive toothbrush technology forward. New apps are being created all the time to make toothbrushing easier and more enjoyable. It even looks like built-in cameras may be in the future of toothbrushes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deOqWyRp-XI?rel=0

The Toothbrush: One of Man’s Greatest Inventions?

The idea of the toothbrush was simple, but there’s no doubt it has greatly contributed to our oral and overall health. In fact, when a group of people were asked which invention they could not live without, the toothbrush beat out the car, computer, cell phone and microwave!

So, don’t take your toothbrush for granted. Use it twice daily for a full two minutes!Your pearly whites will thank you.

Top image by Flickr user William Warby used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Eyeglasses and Their Journey Through Time

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In today’s world, if you feel your vision growing weaker you simply go to the eye doctor and get a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. It wasn’t always so easy!

Glasses have come a long way since their inception some time in the 13th century.Join us on a journey through time as we explore the way eyeglasses have changed through the ages!

Eyewear Began As A Magnifying Glass

Between A.D. 1000 and 1250, monks developed and used reading stones–much like a magnifying glass–that laid against reading material to magnify letters. The first wearable glasses were invented some time between 1260 and 1290, however the inventor is unknown.

The use of spectacles spread throughout Europe over time. There were various styles available, one of the most popular being the scissor-glasses, used by historical figures such as George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte.

In the 1780s, Benjamin Franklin developed the bifocal lens, targeting two different areas of vision correction.

In The 19th Century, Eyewear Became A Fashion Statement

The most iconic piece of eyewear popularized in the 1800s was the monocle(think Mr. Peanut), meant for vision correction in one eye only. Monocle wearers were usually men in society’s upper classes. Women, on the other hand, had their own fashion statements to worry about.

The 19th century saw the advent of what was called the lorgnette, two lenses in a frame held with a handle on one side. The lorgnette was popular with the ladies, many of whom would not wear spectacles, and was thus more of a fashion accessory than a visual aid.

Pince-nez, French for “pinch nose,” glasses were developed and popularized in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These glasses were not supported by earpieces and stayed on by gently pinching the nose. Pince-nez glasses were sported by U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt.

Hollywood Stars Heavily Influenced 20th Century Style

Glasses of the past, such as pince-nez, were seen as stuffy and out of date by the early 1900s. Hollywood stars began to popularize round, tortoiseshell spectacles that better resemble the glasses we see today. Temple spectacles became all the rage.

By the 1940s glasses were available in many sizes, shapes and colors due to advances in the manufacture of plastics. As glasses became more customizable over time, they began to reflect the personality and tastes of the wearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwM9mnw4v4s?rel=0
Come Explore Our Eyewear Collection

Eyeglasses have been regarded by many as one of the most beneficial inventions in human history. Through the innovation and exploration of past thinkers, glasses have become an essential visual aid for many people.

And when it comes to eyewear style, nowadays your options are limitless. At our practice, whatever your taste and personality, we have the frames for you.We only carry eyewear of the highest quality. Come explore our collection today!

Our patients make our job worthwhile!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Important

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“DO I NEED TO FIX my child’s baby tooth since it’s going to fall out anyway?” This is a question we get asked a lot as dental professionals. The answer is a resounding YES! Primary, or “baby,” teeth serve an important purpose in your child’s present and future oral health.

Baby Teeth Have Three Main Functions

Besides providing an aesthetic appeal to your child’s smile and boosting their self-esteem, primary teeth have three main functions:

They aid in proper chewing, fostering good nutrition
They promote proper speech development
They reserve a space for permanent teeth to grow in

If a primary tooth falls out or must be removed before its time due to decay, the surrounding teeth may shift into the gap, causing dental crowding and future orthodontic problems. In some cases, untreated infections in baby teeth can even affect the developing permanent teeth.

Taking care of those primary teeth not only prevents decay, but also helps your child get into the habit of good oral hygiene and sets the stage for their future oral health. Baby teeth may fall out but they’re still very important!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN-1dZymGQI?rel=0

Regular Dental Visits Make For A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles

Your child’s first dental visit is an important milestone! Children should visit the dentist when their first tooth appears or around their first birthday.

A February 2005 Children’s Dental Health Project report found that children who visited the dentist by age one were less likely to visit the emergency room for oral health problems. They also found that children age five who had their first dental visit by the age of one incurred less oral health-related costs than their peers who didn’t see a dentist until age five.

On your child’s first visit, we will check their mouth for decay and other problems as well as show parents proper cleaning techniques. Another benefit of early, regular dental visits is that we can determine if a child is at a higher risk for cavities and implement appropriate intervention.

Baby Teeth Matter

Even though they’re temporary, your child’s baby teeth are essential to their growth and development. Teach children to take care of their baby teeth and set them on a lifelong path of good oral hygiene. If you have any questions, call us or comment below!

We love our patients and their beautiful smiles!

Image by Flickr user Donnie Ray Jones used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.

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