A Legacy of Innovation: The Oral-B Story
The journey of Oral-B began in the late 1930s in California, USA, with the invention of a soft nylon bristled toothbrush by Henry Sargol. However, it wasn't until January 13, 1950, that Dr. Robert W. Hutson, a periodontist, filed patent designs for the "Huston Toothbrush," marking the true inception of Oral-B. Dr. Hutson's innovative "mouthbrush," patented in 1958, featured fine, soft, flat-ended nylon bristles, setting a new standard for toothbrush design. The emergence of the Oral-B name coincided with the introduction of products like the 'Oral-B 60,' boasting 60 tufts of bristles. Within a decade, Oral-B was selling over 5 million brushes annually, thanks to widespread recommendations from dental professionals. In the 1960s, Oral-B saw further growth under the ownership of Martin H Smith Co, expanding its product line to include dental innovations like fluorides and flosses. The brand even made its way onto the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969. Acquired by the Gillette group in 1984, Oral-B continued its trajectory of success, introducing revolutionary products like the Oral-B Advantage in 1993 and the CrossAction toothbrush in 1998. The brand further diversified its offerings with the launch of the Oral-B Stages line for children's toothbrushes in 2003. Since its merger with Procter and Gamble in 2005, Oral-B has remained at the forefront of the dental care industry, offering a comprehensive range of products including toothbrushes, toothpastes, flosses, oral irrigators, and interdental products. Today, Oral-B continues to innovate, ensuring that oral health remains a top priority for consumers worldwide.
