How toothbrushing became a part of everyday health
Oral health habits have changed throughout the last couple of centuries.
Although toothbrushes had been accessible since the 1800s, toothbrush use among Americans in the 1900s was low because of its cost, and many individuals missed work because of toothaches, according to an article on Military.com.
In the 1940s, unemployment rates were high and the annual household income low, leading many Americans to forgo oral health care. Some employers were encouraged to contract dentists to clean the teeth of their employees so they could continue working.
However, during World War II, members of the U.S. army were required to follow rigid dental hygiene standards that involved brushing their teeth twice daily and flossing to prevent cavities. After the war, they continued their oral health habits back home, popularizing the idea of brushing more regularly across the United States, according to the article.
Currently, the ADA advises Americans to brush their teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between the teeth once a day.
Read more: Military.com
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.