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About this object

  • ID:

    88.403

  • Production date:

    1802

  • Location:

    In Store

  • Travelling kits such as this one containing a toothbrush, tongue scraper and tooth powder box, were often included in toiletry cases for use on journeys. In the second half of the eighteenth century middle and upper class Londoners began to embrace new ideas promoting good oral hygiene. Many of these ideas originated in the work of early French dentists, such as Pierre Fauchard and Robert Bunon. Wealthier people started to pick and clean their teeth on a regular basis. Toothbrushes and tongue scrapers entered everyday use. Poorer Londoners could not afford these fine silver dental instruments however. This combined with a poor diet resulted in high rates of tooth decay and loss among the poor.

  • Measurements

    L 123 mm; W 10 mm; H 19 mm (toothbrush), L 96 mm; W 36 mm (tongue scraper, open end), L 98 mm; W 32 mm; H 52 mm (case)

  • Materials

    silver; ivory; hair

  • Last Updated

    2024-03-14

FURTHER INFORMATION
  • NUMBER OF ITEMS

    3

  • STATUS

    permanent collection

  • COPYRIGHT HOLDER

    digital image copyright Museum of London

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