Toothbrush & Oral hygiene

The toothbrush is the oral hygiene tool that is used the most frequently worldwide. Together with tooth-cleaning products like toothpaste, toothbrushes are utilized. The toothbrush's main function is to combat disease. According to dental research, using a toothbrush is the fundamental oral hygiene technique. Since the first chewed-twig toothbrush in 3000 BC to the modern sophisticated manual and powered toothbrushes, toothbrushes have a long history. For hundreds of years, people have been keeping their mouths clean. However, the effectiveness, use, and accessibility of the most popular mouthwash have all improved throughout the years. In order to promote socializing and prevent dental disorders, oral hygiene is crucial. Indeed, there exists a necessity to analyze the development of toothbrushes regarding how they were produced and used in the previous centuries. The article increases the knowledge of the reader in regarding evolution, types, efficacy, and efficiency of toothbrushes. The papers utilizes the social construction of technology model to describe the evolution of toothbrush.

Part 2: Technology in Context

Oral hygiene is a necessity in every society. Therefore, before the development of the modern manual and electronic toothbrushes, individuals relied on other forms of make-shift brushes from animal hairs to chewed sticks. The resourcefulness of previous civilizations indicates the necessity of oral hygiene. In the article “Evolution of Toothbrush” Starsmilez website traces how brushes have changed from the primitive chewed sticks to the current electronic and manual toothbrushes (Starsmilez, 2014). Indeed the article traces factors that influenced the spread of toothbrushes in the previous centuries.

More than 23 centuries ago, many civilizations such as the Babylonians and Egyptians spent hours chewing on sticks. The habit was born out of boredom. However, the sticks served a purpose as a make-shift brush. The stick could then be used to clean the surfaces of the teeth. When the relevance of the chewed stick as a brush continued to gain momentum, individuals discovered “miswak” a chewing stick that had other benefits apart from cleaning the surfaces of teeth. The Miswak is a herbal stick that had healing and antiseptic benefits to the users (Starsmilez, 2014). Similarly, other societies such as the Greeks, Romans, and Indians used chewed twigs to clean the surfaces of the teeth. Indeed, some individuals in the current community continue to prefer miswak to the current toothbrush. Some studies suggest that the healing and antiseptic values associated with the miswak could outshine the present day toothbrush whether they are electronic or manual.

Similarly, at around 1500, Chinese dental caregivers discovered another form of making a makeshift brush. The dentists used animal hairs as a brush. They would pluck hairs off the cold climate pigs which had increased amount of hair to be used in making the brush. Upon acquiring the hair, the dentists would paste them into bamboo sticks or animal bones hence creating a brush. Indeed, the Chinese discovery was among the sophisticated version at the time. Many societies devised different primitive versions of the toothbrush from using bird feathers, animal bones to porcupine quills, boar bristles among other materials that were pasted on a bamboo stick.

The dawn of the modern toothbrush can be credited to William Addis. Addis as an inmate in prison, was merely idle when he invented what can be associated with the current toothbrush (Starsmilez, 2014). He used bones left over from his dinner coupled with bristles that a guard provided to make a toothbrush. When he was released from prison, he modified his invention to the usage of cow tail hair, pasted or tied to a cow bone. The availability of materials necessary for the creation of the toothbrush allowed him to mass produce and sold brushes across the globe. Addis Company still exists to date but have however graduated from using cow hair tail and bones to make brushes.

The world wars marked the dawn of a daily routine of brushing teeth that individuals across the globe are currently dedicated to. During the war, the American government insisted on the importance of oral hygiene. When soldiers came from the war, the habit of brushing teeth took root in people who had close relations with the soldiers. Soon, the practice had spread all over the USA. In recent years, the development of the toothbrush industry has expanded to electric toothbrushes. According to the Starsmilez article, the first electronic toothbrush was produced in Switzerland in 1939. However, it only introduced into the market in the 1960s (Starsmilez, 2014). Initially, the electric toothbrushes were intended for the vigorous tooth brushers.

Toothbrush designs have undergone a variety of changes in its long history. Until the beginning of the 20th century, toothbrush bristles were made from Siberian hog hair. However, in 1938, the soft-bristled toothbrushes were invented. A decade into this new form of technology, Oral-B was efficiently mass producing and selling soft-bristled toothbrushes.

In the current society, there are more than 3000 brands of toothbrushes that can perform various types of activities. Toothbrushes have become more than a mere form of oral hygiene. For instance, the Oral-B Triumph 9100 with SmartGuide toothbrush has the capability of transmitting a map of an individual’s mouth to an LCD hence increasing the functionality of the toothbrush. This type of toothbrush uses the images of one’s mouth to instruct him or her on where they need to brush, areas that need more attention and how to efficiently access those areas (How products are made, 2016). Dentists across the globe suggest that an individual should brush their teeth in 2 minutes. The Tooth Tunes toothbrush uses sound waves to play a song for a time span of two minutes. When the song finishes playing, it indicates it is time to stop brushing. There are various diverse toothbrushes across the globe in the current civilization. Producers are aiming for unique capabilities that still emphasize the primary function of a toothbrush as an oral hygiene device. The article the “Evolution of toothbrush” paints an informed picture of how far the toothbrush industry has grown over the past centuries.

The modern manual toothbrushes encompass a plastic handle and nylon bristles that are often attached to the head of the brush. The toothbrush market has swelled to almost a billion-dollar entity due to both increases in prices of and the nature of toothbrushes that requires their replacement frequently. Dentists encourage individuals to replace their toothbrushes after three to four months. The American Dental Association (ADA) website provides insight on the diversity and functionality of toothbrushes in the current market (ADA, 2017). According to ADA, both manual and electric toothbrushes are competent in their function of removing plague. The significant difference between the two is related to their prices. Powered toothbrushes are expensive compared to their manual counterparts.

A multitude of head design options exists for manual toothbrushes. Toothbrushes are produced differently regarding bristles shape, size, texture and handles. The variety encompasses the angled and conventional flat-trimmed bristles, the hard and soft bristles, natural and synthetic bristles, differences in size, color, configuration among others. For instance, the Reach toothbrush produced by Johnson and Johnson was among the first types of toothbrushes designed with angled handle with the intention of making brushing more comfortable. Soon more improvements followed including the zigzag bristles (How products are made, 2016). Other major industry shakers in toothbrush production such as Colgate offered the Rippled Bristles brush that was designed to reach the plague in between teeth. Gillette also invented a toothbrush that would signal a user on when to replace it depending on the rate of fading of the blue dye that coated the bristles. Gillette claimed another invention had the capability of massaging gums since it featured longer, contoured bristles. Jack Hokanson designed an environmentally sound toothbrush which utilized a Hoke2 brush with a non-disposable handle and a replaceable bristle head. Examples of the most uniquely shaped brushes in the current market include Radius that featured a larger handle with the intention of improving grasp and the Colis Curve that had bristles shaped inward designed to hug the teeth hence enabling the user to clean both the front and the back of the teeth concurrently.

Many individuals with dexterity problems such as the elderly, people with specific disabilities or children may prefer the electronic to manual toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes are necessary for individuals with limited mobility in their hands for instance patients who have arthritis. Various types of powered toothbrushes are specially designed for the needs of the users. The electronic devices focus on different types of movements including; side to side, counter oscillation, and rotation among others. Another high-tech powered toothbrush referred as the Interplak included two rows of bristles that would spin at 4200rpm while revising direction and pulsating against teeth ensuring extreme functionality of the toothbrush in the removal of plague.

The manufacturing process of the current manual and toothbrushes include the production of the handle and the bristles separately. In the case of electronic toothbrushes, it involves the assembling of varies automatic and manual equipment into electric brushes. The molding of handles consists of the mixing of plastic which is eventually shaped into pellets. The pellets are placed in the injection molding machine that is necessary for heating the plastic until it melts which is then forced into handle molds by a rotating screw or plunger. The patterns are involved in the formation of the entire handle including the core into which the bristles will eventually be inserted (How products are made, 2016). During the cooling process, pressure is applied to the molds for securing clamping. The filling machine is ultimately used to fix the bristles into the core which are stapled by small metal staples. At this particular point, a toothbrush exists. However, it is necessary for the bristles to be trimmed with a trimming machine that automatically cuts both the length and the shape of the bristles to ensure specific designs. The toothbrushes are packed into cardboard or any plastic container and usage information provided on the pack.

The evolution of the production of the toothbrush is accompanied by the development of the consumers. In the early civilizations individuals used chewed twigs and animal hairs without any reservations since those were the only ways known to them. The advancement in technology has increased consumer demand across the globe. The increase in colors probed individuals to demand different types of toothbrush handle colors. Similarly, the improvement in art and design indicates that individuals are no longer comfortable with merely common designs but rather demand more. The current consumer demand diversity and customization. While toothbrushes are conventional in every household, individuals have different brand of choice. Some individuals may prefer the manual toothbrushes others tend to prefer the electric ones. The female gender tends to favor fancy toothbrush handles whether in color, design or both. The male consumers, on the other hand, may only value the functionality of the toothbrush. Parents may prefer to purchase toothbrushes that are likely to encourage their children to brush their teeth. The consumption of toothbrush across the globe mainly depends on individual preferences. Dental research into the various design of toothbrushes indicates that there is no convincing evidence of one type being better concerning efficiency and removal of plagues. As such, toothbrush choices is majorly a matter of individual preference.

Part 3: Theoretical Analysis

There is an evident relationship between technology and social system. The social construct of technology (SCOT) maintains that social factors and actors inspire technological innovation. Pinch and Bijker initially developed the theory and later made publications in 1984 (Humphreys, 2005). Pinch and Bijker provided insight on how social factors concurrently influence technology. Scot outlines four core components; relevant social groups, interpretive flexibility, closure, and stabilization. Interpretative flexibility indicates that individuals in different groups have varied interpretations on the artifact of a particular technology. For instance, while the elderly, youngsters and individuals with mobility problems may consider electric toothbrushes as the solution to coordination others find the technical aspects of powered toothbrushes a nuisance.

According to Scot relevant social group illustrate individuals that share the same set of meaning to a particular technology. In the analysis of the toothbrush, the society as a whole can be classified in the same relevant social group since individuals share the same understanding of the “toothbrush.” The toothbrush is recognized across the globe as the most common oral hygiene aid. However, despite people sharing the same understanding of the toothbrush, individuals have different concerns regarding size, shape, and texture of the bristles. Individuals that hold a high concern for speed inspired the establishment of the electronic toothbrush. Similarly, while toothbrushes are not gender differentiated, the female gender tend to prefer fancy design while males merely require functionality.

The relevant group differential demands inspire the various designs of the toothbrush according to SCOT. Moreover, in the modern technology, it is easy to identify four social groups including producers, advocates, users, and bystanders (Humphreys, 2005). In the toothbrush industry, producers compete by formulating new “problems” which are eradicated by new designs. For instance, while the electronic toothbrushes were initially inspired for speed producers have accredited the relevancy of this invention for people with mobility problems. Bystanders showcase individuals whose opinions shape what they consider for them and others. Advocates influence the political lobbying of a technology. The medical community is an example of an advocate in toothbrush technology since they insist on the importance of oral hygiene. For instance, ADA examines and approves the brands of toothbrushes individuals use. Despite the extensive improvements in the toothbrush industry in the past century, some individuals still prefer the chewed twig. This indicates that indeed the relevant group influences how technology develops.

The SCOT theory also suggests that closure and stabilization essential stages in the process of technological innovation. According to Pinch and Bijker, closure is the point where the relevant social groups consider whatever their “problem” solved. Stabilization, on the other hand, describe the process by which individuals from different sub-groups in the relevant social group grow accustomed to communicating the specifications of a certain technology similarly over time (Klein & Kleinman , 2010). The SCOT model showcases closure and stabilization as two sides of the same coin.

Closure focus on the meanings placed on the artifact by different social groups while stabilization illustrates the development of a particular technology within one relevant social group regarding its description and modalities. Closure indicates that the interpretive flexibility of an artifact has declined. The theory illustrates two types of closures, rhetorical and closure by redefinition. Rhetorical closure indicates that social groups perceive the problem as solved whether it technical solved or not (Klein & Kleinman , 2010). In the toothbrush society, marketers of different brands usually aim to convince the users that the specified brand is the ultimate solution to oral hygiene. Whether the brand is the best is irrelevant so long as consumers accept the marketers’ opinions.

Redefinition of the problem, on the other hand, illustrates how flexibility is reduced by redefining the problem or altering the solution. In the early centuries, individuals used various diverse products from animal hairs, to chewed twigs and bones for oral hygiene. However, the dawn of synthetic bristles in the 1930s was considered a solution for the different sub-groups. Bijker describes closure as an “irreversible” indicating despite any issues that synthetic and electronic brushes face, it is almost impossible for the society to resort to animal hairs and chewed twigs as a solution to oral hygiene. However, when closure is described in a rhetorical process, it has potential to be reopened. Many toothbrush brand markets aim to achieve rhetorical closing through advertising. However, the 3,000 brands of toothbrushes indicate that rhetorical closure is not always practical. It is common for different brands to come up with various toothbrush designs that they claim are more effective than the previous. As such, it is essential to label rhetorical closure as temporary closure regarding toothbrush evolution (Humphreys, 2005). The Scot model provides insight into the dynamic process of social construction of technology when analyzed through the concept of temporary closure.

The process of stabilization indicates how an artifact becomes the ideal design irrespective of the different relevant social groups. Stability is achieved at different times for the various social groups. For instance, for a particular sub-group stability was attained at the dawn of the synthetic bristles toothbrushes. However, for others stability was achieved when electric toothbrushes hit the market. Pinch and Bijker did not describe the eventualities when a specific artifact fails to stabilize, stabilization. It is essential to note stabilization is achieved when the relevant social groups consider their problem solved. As such, when a practical solution is not arrived at or when producers prematurely view the issue as resolved, the technology in question is likely to fail. For instance, while they have been various designs of toothbrushes some have failed due to premature closure by the producers. Indeed, the social construction of technology describes the process of innovation and evolution of toothbrush as a result of social factors in the society. Toothbrushes may continue to evolve regarding design based on the concept of temporary closure.





















References

ADA. (2017). Oral Health Topics: Toothbrushes. Retrieved November 28, 2017, from American Dental Association: www.ada.org/en/search

How products are made. (2016). Toothbrush. Retrieved November 28, 2017, from How Products are made: www.madehow.com/volume-2/Toothbrush.html

Humphreys, L. (2005). Reframing social groups, closure and stabilization in the social construction of technology. Social Epistemology, vol.19, no.2, 231-253.

Klein , H., & Kleinman , D. L. (2010). The social construction of technology: Structural considerations. Science, Technology and Human Values, vol.27, no.1, 28-52.

Starsmilez. (2014, April 28). Evolution of toothbrush . Retrieved November 28, 2017, from Starsmilez.