Toothbrushes. They’re the unsung heroes of our mornings and the last thing we see before bed. But did you know these humble little tools have a surprisingly weird—and sometimes wild—history? From their ancient origins to their glow-up with modern sustainable designs (hi, Nada Toothbrush 👋), toothbrushes have a lot more going on than you think.
Here are 7 toothbrush facts that will make you see your bathroom buddy in a whole new light.
1. Toothbrushes Are Older Than the Eiffel Tower
Toothbrushes have been around for over 5,000 years. Ancient civilizations used frayed twigs, animal bones, and even porcupine quills to clean their teeth. While that’s… creative, we’re pretty glad someone invented soft bristles.
2. The First Modern Toothbrush Had a Bone Handle (Yikes)
The very first “modern” toothbrush, invented in England in 1780, had a handle made from cattle bone. Imagine brushing with that.
3. Your Toothbrush Works Harder Than You Think
On average, we spend 82 days of our lives brushing our teeth. That’s nearly three months of dedicated scrubbing! Why not use that time with something that actually sparks joy?
4. Electric Toothbrushes Were Once Considered Sci-Fi
When the first electric toothbrush debuted in 1954, people thought it was something out of a futuristic movie. Now, we’ve moved beyond gimmicks to products that are both effective and eco-conscious.
5. A Used Toothbrush Can Be Worse Than Your Kitchen Sponge
Scientists have found more than 10 million bacteria on used toothbrushes (don’t panic—most are harmless). But still, leaving a plastic toothbrush lying around can trap bacteria.
6. Toothbrushes Didn’t Go Mainstream Until WWII
Before World War II, regular toothbrushing wasn’t common in the U.S. Soldiers were taught oral hygiene in the army and brought the habit home, starting a nationwide trend.
7. Toothbrushes Are Among the Top Plastic Polluters
Over 1 billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the US alone. That’s enough to circle the globe four times. It’s the mission behind Nada Toothbrush. We redesigned the toothbrush to be sustainable and not end up in our landfills and oceans.
Want a Toothbrush That’s Anything but Boring? Meet Nada.
Who knew your toothbrush could be this interesting? Nada isn’t just a toothbrush—it’s a complete rethink of what a daily essential can be. From the 100% aluminum handle that lasts for years to the recyclable brush heads designed to cut down on plastic waste, every detail of Nada was created with purpose.
When you pick up a Nada, you’re not just brushing—you’re:
-
Joining a movement to reduce the billions of plastic toothbrushes that end up in landfills every year.
-
Investing in quality with a handle that feels like it was designed for your hand (because it was).
-
Upgrading your bathroom aesthetic—comes in 7 fun colours plus our sleek, modern stand doesn’t just hold your brush, it makes your counter look intentional and clutter-free.
-
Making a small change with a big impact—because the products we use every day are the ones that make the biggest difference for the planet.
Why settle for disposable when you can have something built to last, built for good, and built to look amazing?
