Who Invented the Toothbrush?

    Who invented the toothbrush and when was it invented?    

  Various Peoples. 1938 (modern).

The toothbrush as we know it today was not invented until 1938. However, early forms of the toothbrush have been in existence since 3000 BC. Ancient civilizations used a "chew stick," which was a thin twig with a frayed end. These 'chew sticks' were rubbed against the teeth.
The bristle toothbrush, similar to the type used today, was not invented until 1498 in China. The bristles were actually the stiff, coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog's neck and attached to handles made of bone or bamboo.
Boar bristles were used until 1938, when nylon bristles were introduced by Dupont de Nemours. The first nylon toothbrush was called Doctor West's Miracle Toothbrush. Later, Americans were influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of soldiers from World War II. They became increasingly concerned with the practice of good oral hygiene and quickly adopted the nylon toothbrush.
Some other interesting toothbrush facts:

• The first mass-produced toothbrush was made by William Addis of Clerkenwald, England, around 1780.
• The first American to patent a toothbrush was H. N. Wadsworth, (patent number 18,653,) on Nov. 7, 1857.
• Mass production of toothbrushes began in America around 1885.
• One of the first electric toothbrushes to hit the American market was in 1960. It was marketed by the Squibb company under the name Broxodent.

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Invisalign can help you get the great smile you've always wanted because it's Invisible, so no one can tell you're straightening your teeth. So now you can smile more during treatment as well as after.

Q:	What is Invisalign?
A:	Invisalign is the invisible new way to straighten teeth without braces. Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth, without metal or wires.
Q:	Does Invisalign really work?
A:	Yes. In both clinical research and in orthodontic and dental practices nationwide, Invisalign has been proven effective at straightening teeth.
Q:	How does Invisalign work?
A:	Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position from which a series of custom-made Aligners are produced. Each Aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved.
Q:	What are the primary benefits of Invisalign?
A:	There are four primary benefits of Invisalign: Invisalign is nearly invisible - you can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. Invisalign is removable - you can eat and drink what you want in treatment; you can also brush and floss normally to maintain good oral hygiene. Invisalign is comfortable - there are no metal brackets or wires to cause mouth irritation; no metal or wires also means you spend less time in the doctor's chair getting adjustments. Invisalign allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan before you start - so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
Q:	What are Aligners made of?
A:	Aligners are made of clear, strong medical grade plastic that is virtually invisible when worn.
Q:	What do Aligners look like?
A:	Aligners are nearly invisible and look similar to clear tooth-whitening trays, but are custom-made for a better fit to move teeth. Some orthodontists and dentists have referred to them as contact lenses for teeth.
Q:	Is this a new way to straighten teeth? How old is the company?
A:	For years, orthodontists and dentists have used removable appliances for limited treatment. Today, with the application of computer technology, Invisalign treats a broader range of cases with greater precision.
Q:	How old is the company?
A:	Align Technology, Inc., the company that manufactures Invisalign , was founded in 1997.
Q:	How old is this technology?
A:	In 1945 Dr. H.D. Kesling envisioned that one day, modern technology would enable the use of a series of tooth positioners to produce the kinds of movements required for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Align has made this vision a reality. Using advanced computer technology, Align generates Invisalign, a series of customized appliances, called Aligners. Each Aligner is worn sequentially by the patient to produce extensive tooth movements in both upper and lower arches.
Q:	How many patients are being treated with Invisalign?
A:	Currently, doctors are treating more than 40,000 patients. The number grows daily.
Q:	Do doctors need special training in order to use Invisalign?
A:	While Invisalign can be used with virtually any treatment philosophy, specific training is needed. All orthodontists and dentists interested in treating patients with Invisalign must attend a workshop before cases will be accepted from their office.
Q:	How does Invisalign effectively move teeth?
A:	Like brackets and archwires, Invisalign Aligners move teeth through the appropriate placement of controlled force on the teeth. The principal difference is that Invisalign not only controls forces, but also controls the timing of the force application. At each stage, only certain teeth are allowed to move, and these movements are determined by the orthodontic treatment plan for that particular stage. This results in an efficient force delivery system.
Q:	Has the FDA cleared Invisalign?
A:	Yes, the FDA has reviewed our application and in August 1998 determined that Invisalign is exempt from 510(k) pre-market notification.
For more information, see http://www.invisible.com/

Early Orthodontic Evaluation

An early childhood orthodontic evaluation can yield excellent results.

Even if a child is too young for braces, it is not too early for an orthodontic evaluation. Some children, as early as 5 or 6 years of age, may benefit from an evaluation.The evaluation is best performed by an orthodontist. An orthodontist can determine whether preventative or interceptive treatment may be indicated.

Malocclusions (bad bites) often become noticeable between the ages of 6 and 12, as the child's permanent (adult) teeth erupt. Children may experience crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, protruding teeth, extra or missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems. Other malocclusions are acquired - such as those caused by thumb or finger-sucking, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, the early or late loss of baby teeth - and develop over time.

Orthodontic treatment often begins between the ages of 7 and 14. Treatment that begins while a child is growing, often referred to as "interceptive orthodontics," helps produce optimal results. To achieve optimal treatment, children should have an orthodontic evaluation no later that age 7. By then, they have a mix of primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Your child's dentist can spot problems with emerging teeth and jaw growth early on, while the primary teeth are present. That's why regular dental exams are important.

Orthodontist are trained to spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. Early detection of orthodontic problems in young children may make it easier to correct those problems in the long run. Waiting until all of the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult and even impossible. For these reasons, the AAO (American Association of Orthodontists) recommends that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than age 7.

Complimentary Consultations at Yang Orthodontics

At Holman & Yang Orthodontics, we genuinely care for our patients' well being while providing clinical excellence and cutting edge technology. We know the impact that a good orthodontic experience has in a person's life and we strive to ensure that each contact with our patients and their families is a positive one.

One of our commitments as your redwood city orthodontist is first meeting with you to help you explore all of the options available to you or your child. We offer complimentary consultations for those in interested in orthodontic treatment. At the exam you will have time reserved with Dr. Yang, who will assess your particular needs as well discuss treatment options available and answer any questions you may have. We place a high value on making sure you have complete information before beginning treatment.

If you have been thinking about obtaining the dazzling smile you've always wanted, we invite you to give us a call at (650) 366-5758.

We look forward to meeting you!

Dr. Holman, Dr. Yang and team