The first toothbrush and toothpaste

Humans have always tried to find new ways to clean our teeth - we didn't always have electric toothbrushes and air flossers. During the time of the Ancient Egyptians, evidence has been found that they were using primitive tools made from twigs to brush their teeth. Many countries still use twigs from trees with antibacterial properties, such as cinnamon and neem, and they have been found to be just as effective as modern toothbrushes.

However, it was the Chinese that first invented a tool most similar to the modern toothbrush. It was made of bamboo and the bristles were made from boar hair. As for toothpaste, it first started out with weird mixtures of ash, eggshells, and crushed bones. A far cry from the minty fresh toothpaste in your bathroom today.