New research has uncovered a remarkable example of monkey ingenuity, revealing that primates are not only skilled at flossing their teeth but also develop clever methods to do so – including using human hair. In a fascinating display of self-care behaviour, long-tailed macaques have been observed plucking hair from humans and twisting it into effective dental floss.
The study of monkey flossing began in the late 1970s with dentist Jack Caton's pioneering research at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, New York. His 1979 study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology involved six rhesus monkeys suffering from plaque and gingivitis. He tested oral hygiene methods including flossing, brushing, and mouthwashing, concluding that regular practice – at least three times a week – was key to optimal results.
Physician David C Sokal's invention of a novel floss-dispensing device for humans was inspired by Caton's findings. His patented design featured separate clips for upper and lower teeth, aimed at reminding users to floss on alternate days. This innovative approach drew directly from the primates' own oral care habits.
A 2007 report in the American Journal of Primatology detailed how long-tailed macaques use human hair as dental floss, building on earlier observations from 2000 of Macaca fascicularis monkeys in Lopburi, Thailand. The researchers noted that these primates would pluck hair from willing humans and fashion it into usable floss – or extract strands from provided hairpieces.
The macaques' ability to sort the hair, create a string, and hold it tightly with both hands to clean their teeth demonstrated an impressive understanding of optimal oral hygiene. This research offers a unique glimpse into the complex cognitive abilities and self-care behaviours of primates – showcasing an innate drive for oral hygiene that operates independently of human influence or invention.
The study's findings suggest that the monkeys' adoption of flossing predates human influence, highlighting their remarkable ingenuity in developing their own oral care methods. This phenomenon underscores the fascinating complexities present in the animal kingdom and raises important questions about the origins and evolution of self-care behaviour.