Description:

Toothbrush with handle. The first officially patented toothbrush dates back to 1857 and was made by H.N. Wadsworth (US Patent No. 18,653). Still, it would take until the end of the 19th century for a real market to develop and for production to start in earnest. The first toothbrushes were made completely out of natural products: the handle would be bone or ivory and the bristles would be of animal origin. A decade or so before the First World War, the first toothbrushes with celluloid (artificial resin) handles entered production. It would take until the 1930s for artificial bristles to be commonly used. Initially, all types of tooth powders and pastes were intended for use with a wet brush. The first toothpaste in tubes went on sale in 1896, and its manufacturer would go on to become world famous: Colgate.
During the First World War, dental hygiene took on a much more prominent role: a soldier with poor teeth or toothache would not be able to eat properly and was not considered fit as a result. The first dentistry division in the British army was founded as late as 1901. In 1921, this would become the Army Dental Corps.