Weird Facts about Oral-B®

• Oral-B is a combination of oral hygiene and the letter B, which stands for the word better. The nylon-bristle toothbrush is a descendant of the "chew stick," a twig with a frayed end of soft fibers that was rubbed against the teeth to clean them. Chew sticks have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to 3000 B.C.E.
• The first bristled toothbrush, made from bristles plucked from the backs of hog's necks and fastened to bamboo or bone handles, originated in China in 1498.
• Traders from the Orient introduced Europeans to the practice of brushing their teeth, and the few Europeans who adopted the practice opted for horsehair toothbrushes, though most preferred the Roman toothpick.
• After Du Pont chemists discovered nylon in the 1930s, the company marketed the first nylon-bristle toothbrush in 1938.
• In the 1940s, periodontist Robert Hutson invented Oral-B Toothbrushes, the first multitufted, soft-nylon bristle toothbrushes. In 1984, Gillette acquired Oral-B, enabling Oral-B to make its toothbrushes available in virtually every country in the world.
• According to the American Dental Association, 80 percent of all Americans fail to replace their toothbrush until after the bent bristles are no longer fit for cleaning teeth.
• Oral-B Toothbrushes incorporate the features recommended by dental professionals: a long narrow neck designed for more effective brushing of back teeth; a thumb grip for better maneuverability; a rounded head for greater comfort; and polished, end-rounded bristles to help protect gums and tooth enamel.
• Oral-B Indicator bristles fade as the brush wears out.
• Oral-B is the world's leading producer of dental care products.
• Oral-B Toothbrushes are used by more dentists and hygienists worldwide than any other toothbrushes.