Addis toothbrush, 1930s

Before the First World War (1914-18), toothbrushes were often made from natural materials (bone, ivory, bristle etc) and were too expensive to be owned by most people, often being shared in households.

British servicemen began to be issued with toothbrushes during the War. This accelerated the development of cheaper synthetic materials in its production, such as plastic, and helped shift people toward brushing daily. Addis, dating to 1780, claimed to be the inventors of the 'modern' toothbrush and were one of the main manufacturers of them. This toothbrush belonged to the Hamilton family, who ran a shop in Bellshill.