We all know that toothbrushes are an important part of maintaining our oral hygiene, but many people don't know that the toothbrush dates way back into the past. In fact it is likely that toothbrushes have been in use longer than recorded history! Some of the very first toothbrushes were made from surprising items like porcupine quills and bird feathers tied to sticks and animal bones. Some of the first toothbrushes to use a more modern bristle were invented by the Chinese. Even though these bristles were shaped more like what we know today, they were still made of pig hair. It is estimated that this was the first version of the modern toothbrush.
According to historic records, European travelers would purchase toothbrushes from the Chinese, but it wasn't until the late 1600s that the first recorded account of the toothbrush in English emerged. It seems that the French were the first to encourage the use of toothbrushes in Europe, and eventually the toothbrush became mass produced in Europe. This happened in 1780 by a man in England. But these toothbrushes were still far behind what we use today. These toothbrushes were still made of animal bone and pig hair. The more expensive brushes could be made of badger hair.