[flossmaster]

Dental floss has only been around for about 200 years. I wonder if the texture of fruit has changed such that 2400 years ago it was easier to extract from between your teeth than it is today.

[samatman]

A toothpick is very old technology indeed.

It is perhaps 90% as good as dental floss at liberating fibres from between teeth, perhaps 95%.

Not much selection pressure, in other words.

[asdff]

Before floss people used sticks. Some people still use sticks for dental health while hiking.

[scohesc]

I wonder if they alternatives like longer hairs from animals to get stuff out from between teeth.