### id228292717 Europeans cleaned their teeth with salty or sooty rags > Despite its long history in China, it took many centuries for the bristle toothbrush to arrive in Europe. During this time, Europeans generally cleaned their teeth by rubbing them with rags rolled in salt or soot. - [View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01ffv5x2r6rf0tdqtm8yqf78eh) - [[the sordid history of the toothbrush via the museum of everyday life#id228292717 Europeans cleaned their teeth with salty or sooty rags|View in Vault]]