On this day in 1938, the first nylon bristle toothbrush was made.

Question: When is it time to go to the dentist? Answer: “Tooth hurty!” (Get it? “Tooth hurty” sounds like “two-thirty.”) That’s a lame joke, but what better way to celebrate the first nylon bristle toothbrush?

Do you ever wonder what people did to protect their teeth before toothbrushes? Maybe they used wood or their fingers, or just chewed until their teeth wore out or fell out (Woodn’t chew?—another joke). We know that some ancient people had good teeth, however.

Actually this discussion of teeth is a good reminder of the importance of taking care of our bodies. God has given us these bodies, and he wants us to serve him in the world. You have only one body. You can’t return it to the hospital where you were born and ask for a replacement.

In another Bible verse, Paul says, “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself” (1 Corinthians 6:19). So that makes it even more important to think about our health.

Taking care of the body involves more than brushing and flossing. Diet, exercise, sleep, and, certainly, staying away from stuff that can destroy you (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and so forth) all play a part.

Some young people act like this isn’t important because, right now, they feel good. So they veg out, eat junk food, sleep just a couple of hours a night, and smoke. But eventually all those habits cause harm.

Every year you live is another year of enjoying life and serving Christ.

And remember, be true to your teeth, and they’ll never be false to you!

Your teeth are as white as sheep, newly shorn and washed. They are perfectly matched (Song of Solomon 4:2).

To Do

Buy a new toothbrush.

Also on this day . . .

1821—Mexico declared independence from Spain.

1839—William S. Otis received a patent for the steam shovel.

1968—The discovery of a pulsar was announced.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.