So the modern tooth brush was invented in the early 1900s ?

[Telstra]

.
Is that mean that there weren't much kissing going on before the 1900s ??
(Not much kissing if you don't brush your teeth anyway)

[star-warrior]

"Waterloo teeth" is a bit grisly.

[Telstra]

"Waterloo teeth" is a bit grisly.

Taken the teeth out of dead soldiers and 2nd hand teeth ?
Thats news to me. Yuck !!!

[pat grimshaw]

^ That Waterloo teeth article was fascinating

[LeicsDom]

I had heard about that.

In Elizabethan times they wore false teeth made of wood
http://prezi.com/-cpguoglrcuc/women-...abethan-times/

[cynicus]

.
Is that mean that there weren't much kissing going on before the 1900s ??
(Not much kissing if you don't brush your teeth anyway)

.

I have been told the tooth brush was invented in Kentucky. Otherwise, is would be called a "teeth brush."

[JockBoy87]

I just came from a trip to Philadelphia, where I visited a historical museum full of 18th century artifacts. One of them was a modern looking toothbrush, but the bristles were from a hog instead of nylon, obviously.

[Telstra]

.
But was there much tongue kissing (exchange of fluid) before the invention of the nylon tooth brush?

I think right now, there are not much kissing in poorer area of Africa, poorer Asia, North Korea, Afghanistan ... etc ? Am i right ?

[JockBoy87]

.
But was there much tongue kissing (exchange of fluid) before the invention of the nylon tooth brush?

I think right now, there are not much kissing in poorer area of Africa, poorer Asia, North Korea, Afghanistan ... etc ? Am i right ?

That is an interesting area of anthropological research, i.e. how modern is kissing, and does it relate to increased oral hygeine?

[thatgirl]

People probably used other things in place of the modern day tooth brush. I guess it depends on what part of the world people were in.

For example, in my culture, we used (and still use) twig toothbrushes:



They can be found through out Africa and the Middle East etc.

It's quite awesome. Cleans the teeth thoroughly and it leaves a nice after taste. I use it as an alternative to my regular toothbrush. Basically, you take the twig when it's new and gently chew on one end until you get some soft bristles going. Then viola, ready to use. When the bristles gradually fall out, you just chew further down on the twig to get more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_cleaning_twig

[Kien]

Or put a bunch of salt on your finger and rub your teeth with it.

[JockBoy87]

Or put a bunch of salt on your finger and rub your teeth with it.

If that is what gives you such beautiful teeth I am going to try it.

[kevin23]

Early 1900's (maybe before) in the US doctors and dentist would recommend the use of Snuff (finely ground tobacco for those not famaliar with it) to use to clean their teeth. A blackgum twig ( a very tough and fiberious wood) was chewed to spread the fibers out much like a brush and it was used to scrub the teeth with the snuff. It was actually labeled as Dental Snuff. During this time you could also buy opiates over the counter at any store for toothache, headache, and to cleanse the liver !!!!! In another 100 years people will likely look on our medicine today with as much distain.

[Kien]

If that is what gives you such beautiful teeth I am going to try it.

Oh shucks, you are too kind

I've never done it, but that's what my parents did when they lived in Vietnam.

[JockBoy87]

Oh shucks, you are too kind

I could be even kinder

I've never done it,

I'm sorry I love quotes out of context

but that's what my parents did when they lived in Vietnam.

At least it's something.

You can scrape your teeth with a fingernail if you have to. It's better than gingivitis.

[Telstra]

Tooth brush without any tooth paste will not work.
I guess tooth paste was invented in similar times.

twig toothbrush is a good idea if it has the tooth decay fighting agent.

[jjonn3]

.

I have been told the tooth brush was invented in Kentucky. Otherwise, is would be called a "teeth brush."

Ouch!

[jjonn3]

.
Is that mean that there weren't much kissing going on before the 1900s ??
(Not much kissing if you don't brush your teeth anyway)

People had very different standards back then -

No deodorant (although they had perfume) - people did not bathe as often or wash clothes - if you have ever been near a real outhouse you know that they just lived with smells we would never accept today.

[Telstra]

People had very different standards back then -

No deodorant (although they had perfume) - people did not bathe as often or wash clothes - if you have ever been near a real outhouse you know that they just lived with smells we would never accept today.

So true.
And right now, different standards between countries.
Just compare America and Afghanistan. I don't think the Afghanis can afford to brush their teeth with tooth paste.

[JP.]

TBHonest, I can't imagine to live way past before 1800- for sanitation reason

[Telstra]

TBHonest, I can't imagine to live way past before 1800- for sanitation reason

ummm your sanitation standard would not be that high during those times.

[Nishin]

Tooth brush without any tooth paste will not work.

Paste makes the brushing easier, more pleasant and efficient but it is not essential, the brushing is

[Telstra]

Paste makes the brushing easier, more pleasant and efficient but it is not essential, the brushing is

Paste is like soap.
Washing smelly hands without soap is not that effective.

[Nishin]

Brushing teeth is not (only) about smell... it's about removing left overs from your teeth, try using only paste without a brush and see

[LeicsDom]

In the days before toothpaste they used all sorts of things to freshen the breath and aid oral hygene