The modern toothbrush as we know it today, was invented in London, by William Addis who made the toothbrush from a bone carving in which he bored several small holes in the bone and inserted horse hair into one end, leaving the other as a handle.

Toothbrushes continued to be made completely by hand until the late nineteenth century. Mechanisation started slowing in the brush industry with the introduction of treadle-operation machines to assist with drilling the holes in the head of the brush and handle shaping. The treadle was ultimately replaced by steam powered machines and in 1869 Addis advertised its brushes as being “Made by Machinery”:. The process of filing brush heads continued to be performed by hand until the 1920’s.

By now toothbrush production had become an industry in it’s own right, but the toothbrush was still by no means in general use: amongst the working classes it was almost unknown. During WW1, the company supplied troops with toothbrushes, most of whom had never owned one before. Millions of people got into the habit of using a toothbrush and from there the habit spread.

The company started to manufacture its first machine-filled plastic handles toothbrushes; the plastic used was celluloid. In the dressed times of the 1920’s and 1930’s the simple toothbrush was still a luxury to the low paid or unemployed. Unlike bone, celluloid could be produced in different colours, and as it was moulded and filled by machine, it was cheaper to produce. The cheaper retail prices and bright colourful displays in retailers meant many more people were introduced to the habit of teeth cleaning.

Following a war-time shortage of natural bristle the company became aware of the existence of a new material – Nylon. Using Nylon for the filaments a new toothbrush brand was launched. In June 1940 and following an extensive newspaper advertising campaign a new brush was introduced to the public under the name “Wisdom”. In 1945 to cope with demand a new manufacturing premises was purchased in Haverhill, Suffolk.

By 1951 the company was producing over 20M toothbrushes. with the success of the wisdom toothbrush combined the accurate shortage of bone (Government advice to supplement food rations by the use of bones in stews and soups), following the war in 1947 the last bone handled toothbrushes were made.

By the 1960’s the development in materials meant that in addition to using nylon for filaments, more sophisticated polypropylene materials could be used for the handles.  These new materials were more stable so could be put in hot water for sterilising and cope with the ever-evolving range of ingredients being used in toothpaste.

Wisdom adds to its wide range of toothbrushes and launches the Wisdom Mouth Master toothbrush.

Wisdom introduced its first toothbrush handle with both rubber and plastic for improved grip when brushing.

Wisdom launched the Ultraflex toothbrush, the first toothbrush with Boigaurd, antibacterial and mint fragrance in the handle.

Wisdom added the Wisdom Easy Flosser to their interdental product range to help people reach and clean the back teeth.

Wisdom continues to innovate in toothbrushes to improve oral health by adding tapered filaments and tongue cleaners to its toothbrush designs.

Wisdom launches the Quantum range of toothbrushes, toothpaste & mouthwash.

Wisdom Intense White home whitening products launched. Patented, clinically proven technology offering affordable, enamel safe teeth whitening.

From the very first brush innovation in new materials has always been part of the Wisdom brand. In 2020 Wisdom launched the renew oral care range featuring toothbrushes and interdentals made from recycled and sustainable materials.