Toothpicks are common household items that many people use to remove food particles and plaque from between their teeth. However, there’s always been a lot of debate concerning whether or not toothpicks are beneficial for dental health. In fact, many dental professionals are now firmly in the camp that toothpicks are actually quite detrimental to teeth and gums! Here’s more about toothpicks and how they have the potential to cause a sudden dental injury, along with a few dentist-approved alternatives for cleaning your teeth.
How Can Toothpicks Harm Teeth?
Though they might seem tiny and harmless, toothpicks have the potential to cause all sorts of dental injuries, including:
- The sharp end of a toothpick can easily pierce or damage your gums, which can lead to pain, bleeding, or even infection.
- If you’re using a toothpick to remove food particles from between your teeth, you might end up pushing them further down into your gums, causing more damage.
- The repeated use of toothpicks can chip and wear away at the enamel layer of your teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities and decay.
- If a toothpick breaks off in your gums, the small splinters might be impossible to remove without a dentist’s assistance.
What Are Some Safer Alternatives?
If you do choose to use toothpicks as a last resort, it’s important to be careful and gentle. You should also avoid using them to remove particles stuck between the back teeth. In any case, it’s best to search for a suitable alternative. Some good ideas include:
- Dental floss – Flossing is one of the best ways to remove food particles and plaque from all the hard-to-reach spots between your teeth. You should floss at least once a day.
- Dental floss sticks – These are small, plastic handles that have precut strands of dental floss attached to them. They’re much easier to manipulate than traditional dental floss.
- Water flosser – A water flosser is a device that uses a gentle, pressurized stream of water to remove food particles from between the teeth. It’s an excellent option for those who have braces!
- Interdental brush – An interdental brush is much smaller than your average toothbrush, and they’re designed to fit specifically between your teeth.
The bottom line is that while toothpicks are undoubtedly handy and convenient, they aren’t the most logical or safest choice for cleaning your teeth – protect your smile and use a toothbrush and dental floss instead!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Sherly Alex and Dr. R. Craig Williams, the talented team at Main Line Dental Group has proudly served patients and families in the Wayne community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, please visit online or call today. Telephone: (610) 971-0717.