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Toothbrushes evolved from being hygiene equipment to trendy lifestyle accessories. A generation ago, dental care in the average drug store consisted of a few clunky broad headed manual brushes and came in one of the three primary colors. Children's toothbrushes were little sawed off adult brushes adorned with a cartoon decal. Today, different brushes fit different tastes and styles.

Leading the evolution is the personalization of toothbrushes. There are children's toothbrushes that target specific age groups. This encourages proper techniques for parents and tots. As for adults, toothbrushes are catered to specific brushing styles and esthetic appeal. Whether one prefers a flexible head or a better grip, there is a tooth brush for everyone. Some people look for outrageous colors while others look for something that will match their robe and come in exotic shades such as teal, plum, azure, and the full range of neon colors.

There is also an evolution from manual brushes to powered brushes ranging from inexpensive battery operated toothbrushes to top of the line sonic frequency brushes. The power toothbrush market has soared, gaining impressive ground in an area that was dominated by manual brushes.

Toothbrush Fun Facts:

• 3000 BC - the first toothbrush was a small stick with frayed ends used by Ancient Egyptians.
• 249 AD - Appolonia, the patron saint of dentists, was burned at the stake after having her teeth knocked out.
• 1885 AD - toothbrushes were mass produced for the first time.
• 1896 - Colgate introduced toothpaste in a squeezable tube, replacing glass jars.
• 1938 - nylon bristles were introduced. The machine that produced the toothbrushes also polished the bristles to remove jagged edges on the bristles.
• 1950 - a California periodontist created the brand Oral-B and patented the first toothbrush Oral-B 60.
• 1960 - the first electric toothbrush, a Swiss model, was introduced in the US.
• 1969 - Oral-B toothbrush was used on the Apolo 11th mission to the moon.
• Between 1963 and 1998 more than 3000 toothbrush designs were patented in the US. Alterations and improvements were made to everything from the head to the handle.
• An average toothbrush contains 2500 bristles grouped into about 40 tufts per toothbrush.
• The standard bristle is about 0.008inches in diameter, though there are some brushes, especially children's brushes that are much thinner and softer.
• Tufts are folded over a metal staple and forced into pre-cored holes in the brush head or fused into the head with heat.
• The handle is made out of at least two materials of plastic and rubber.
• According to ergonomic research conducted by Oral-B, people hold toothbrushes in five basic ways. However, most people don't stick with just one way but use a combination of two or three. Grips are known in the industry as precision, power, spoon, oblique, and distal oblique.