system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do humans need to brush their teeth? What did we do before toothpaste?

As far as I know, humans are the only species that requires special dental hygiene. Why do we need this and what did we do before the invention of toothbrushes and toothpaste?
gpt
We need to brush them since they need to be freed from bacteria. If we wouldn't we'd lose them way to early in our life. Also due to our highly sugary diet.

Before toothbrushes/paste mostly sticks and herbs were used, toothbrushes exist quiet a long time though. Some trees have twigs you can chew on which releases cleansing substances.

I am at the moment not sure about what was used as toothpaste though, sorry.

And no, we are not the only species to need dental hygiene, we're just the only species to do it with a concious effort. Most animals clean their teeth by usong their surrounding vegetation or ven selfclean while eating their type of food.