The Toothpick Was a Luxury Item + Weirdly Cool Facts About This Tool

Ah, the toothpick! This seemingly ordinary item that you often use after devouring a burger has a secret history that’ll make your jaw drop (pun intended). Don’t be fooled by its slim appearance — the toothpick has been around for ages.

Long before archaeologists could dig up physical evidence of ancient toothpicks, those toothy wonders were made from materials that fell apart faster than leftovers in the back of your fridge. Yup, I’m talking about wood. However, clever researchers have found hints that Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens were hardcore toothpick enthusiasts. They’ve studied prehistoric bones and deduced that our ancestors regularly used some sort of tool to keep their pearly whites clean. In fact, they even found scratch marks on a tooth that suggest our predecessors were serious tooth-pickers. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best idea for the delicate enamel coating of human teeth.

Fast forward to more recent times (but still ancient, mind you), and toothpicks were all the rage among various ancient civilizations. Literary sources have spilled the beans on this peculiar obsession. According to an ancient Greek historian, a local tyrant met his doom by using a poison-coated toothpick. Yikes! And guess what? Toothpicks from those times have survived the test of time for us to see even today. These fancy picks were often made from more durable materials like bone or precious metals. Who knew a tiny stick could be so dangerous and luxurious at the same time?

Now, let’s talk about toothpick fashion! Oh, yes, it was a thing too. Even during the Medieval period, when life was all castles and chivalry, folks flaunted their upper-class status with gold or silver toothpicks elegantly tucked away in snazzy cases. Europeans really knew how to stand out from the toothpick-wielding masses! One particular fancy toothpick dating from the 16^th century is displayed at the British Museum. It’s made with gold and even encrusted with pearls! The trend continued well into the 19th century, when the Duchess of Parma even had a whole dozen of valuable toothpicks as part of her dowry!

At one point in history, some crafty ladies in Portugal came up with a toothpick innovation. Instead of using them to clean teeth, these brilliant women made disposable toothpicks specifically for picking up sticky sweets. Bye-bye, messy fingers! And as luck would have it, toothpick production in Portugal boomed. Those toothpicks were a hit, finding their way across Europe and the Americas.

An American entrepreneur named Charles Forster found himself fascinated by those same toothpicks he encountered during his travels. He was amazed by the exceptional quality of those little wooden wonders. Inspired, Charles Forster hatched a wild plan in his mind. He set out to build a contraption that could produce toothpicks at an astonishing rate — millions upon millions of them in a single day! He was determined to bring toothpick prosperity to America.

But alas, fate had a quirky sense of humor. When Forster unveiled his toothpick wonderland to the American people, they just weren’t interested. It seemed they were quite content with whittling their own toothpicks, not to mention the idea of spending money on something they could easily make themselves left them scratching their heads. Forster knew he needed a magical transformation to create demand and ignite the toothpick frenzy.

So, this daring entrepreneur decided to unleash his arsenal of marketing tactics. He hired people to masquerade as toothpick-hungry customers in stores, causing a toothpick-buying need among the unsuspecting shoppers. But that wasn’t enough! He even recruited the brightest minds from Harvard University and gave them a secret mission: whenever they ate at restaurants, they had to ask for toothpicks. Like magic, the habit spread, and soon enough, toothpicks became the “must-have” accessory for anyone.

While Forster was busy masterminding the toothpick revolution, there were a few others who wanted a slice of the toothpick pie. In 1869, a quirky fellow from Philadelphia snagged a patent for his toothpick invention. It had a fancy hooked end and a spoon-like mechanism, perfect for cleaning out hollow and sensitive teeth. There were others who sought to improve the toothpick experience even further. One clever inventor dreamed up a retractable toothpick case for the suave and stylish toothpick enthusiast. And oh, there was a scented coating invented, designed to make your breath smell fresher than a field of daisies on a spring morning.

As time marched on, the toothpick empire grew to epic proportions. By the end of the 19th century, billions of toothpicks were being produced each year. In 1887 alone, the count soared to an unimaginable five billion toothpicks, with our toothpick hero Charles Forster responsible for more than half of them. And just when you thought the toothpick madness couldn’t get any crazier, there was a factory in Maine that emerged, defying all toothpick limits. It churned out toothpicks by the billions.

Back to current times, it seems like luxurious toothpicks are ready to make a grand comeback. Leading the charge is a cheeky Toronto-based company that’s on a mission to revolutionize the toothpick game. Now, you might be wondering, “Toothpicks? Really? How can they be luxurious these days?” Well, these people have set their focus on crafting exquisite toothpicks from white birch and offer them in six delightful flavors. Believe it or not, there’s something about toothpicks that taps into our primal instincts. Maybe it’s because our ancestors were big fans of toothpick hygiene, and that trait has stuck with us through the ages. Everything about these toothpicks is in luxury and style. Imagine a slender bottle, sealed with a cork, and elegantly embossed with the company’s name. And that’s not all — each toothpick has one charred end, adding a touch of mystique. To take it up a notch, the company even offers chic leather carrying cases.

Style and pizzazz aside, some dental experts claim using a toothpick may not always be good for us. If you find yourself in a sticky situation with something lodged between your teeth and you have absolutely nothing else on hand, you can cautiously consider using a toothpick. But hey, don’t make it a habit. Dental professionals strongly advise against prolonged toothpick use.

Why, might you ask? First off, breakage. As you’re merrily picking away at your teeth, the little object might suddenly snap. You might even get a little piece stuck in there, which beats the whole initial purpose, right? Hygiene is another thing you consider. If you didn’t buy that toothpick yourself, you can’t guarantee its quality. It’s hard to know if it’s been stored properly or if it hasn’t come in contact with harmful elements for our smile. A fantastic alternative is, of course, dental floss! It’s the best way to give those food particles the ol’ goodbye from your chompers. It can reach those tricky nooks and crannies without causing any gum damage or pesky irritations.

But alas, if you already have a bunch of toothpicks at home and don’t necessarily want them to go to waste, there are many other projects you can use them for at home. For starters, you can use them in your garden. Toothpick barriers can shield your delicate plants and seedlings from creepy crawlies. Watch your plants grow tall and strong, safe from sneaky caterpillars. And if a plant has a little accident, don’t worry! Toothpicks to the rescue for broken branches and injured leaves!

These little objects are also the ultimate ninja cleaners. Dust and dirt hiding in hard-to-reach spots won’t cause trouble anymore. You can use them to clean grime around remote-control buttons, phone buttons, and toys. They can also be used to clean up buildup in your hairbrushes and showerheads too.

Ready to join the toothpick tradition passed down from generations? Well, it’s called the “testing for doneness”. Grab a toothpick and poke it into freshly baked cakes, loaves of bread, or brownies. If there’s still any batter left over on the toothpick once you pull it out, your dessert might not be done quite yet. If you find a pesky bottle is all clogged up, you might be able to use a toothpick for this problem, too. When stubborn contents dry up and block the opening, grab a toothpick and pierce through the obstacle.