Innovation No. 8 of 77 in the book
The Toothbrush
A chewed twig used to clean the teeth
- When
- c. 3000 BCE
- Dynasty
- 1st Dynasty
- Era
- Early Dynastic Period
Before bristles there was the chew stick: a twig frayed at one end into soft fibers and rubbed across the teeth. Egyptians were using them by 3000 BCE, at the very start of the dynasties, and were buried holding them.
The trick is the wood. Twigs from certain trees carry natural antiseptics that fight the bacteria behind decay and gum disease.
The same tool, the miswak, is still sold and chewed across much of the world — and modern studies rate it as effective as a nylon brush.
The world’s first toothbrush was a stick that fought germs before anyone knew germs existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the toothbrush in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 3000 BCE during Egypt's Early Dynastic (1st Dynasty). Before bristles there was the chew stick: a twig frayed at one end into soft fibers and rubbed across the teeth. Egyptians were using them by 3000 BCE, at the very start of the dynasties, and were buried holding them.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the toothbrush, and what is its legacy?
The trick is the wood. Twigs from certain trees carry natural antiseptics that fight the bacteria behind decay and gum disease. The trick is the wood. Twigs from certain trees carry natural antiseptics that fight the bacteria behind decay and gum disease. The world’s first toothbrush was a stick that fought germs before anyone knew germs existed.