When you’ve just had tough and chewy food, using a toothpick can seem like an obvious move. How else are you going to get the “leftovers” out of your smile? That said, you should honestly think twice; toothpicks are rather bad for your teeth. You’re better off replacing these tiny tools with safer ones, which wouldn’t harm your grin. Just learn the relevant details in this helpful summary from your Raleigh dentist.
How Do Toothpicks Harm Teeth?
Though toothpicks have been around for ages, they aren’t exactly good for your teeth. The items harm pearly whites in various ways, including:
By Wearing Away Enamel
You know how toothpicks are often made of wood or plastic? Well, those materials are pretty abrasive when applied to your teeth. A toothpick that uses them will wear down your enamel, elevating your risk of cavities, tooth sensitivity, and so on.
By Pushing Food Down
Even when toothpicks aren’t abrasive, they usually don’t work as intended. They’re more likely to push food particles further into your gums than remove anything. In doing so, they’d expose your teeth to harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay.
By Getting Trapped
Instead of being strong and sturdy, most toothpicks are flimsy. They can easily break apart in your gums, causing pain in and around your teeth. The picks also become hard to remove when such breakage occurs, sometimes to the point that actual dentists must perform the removal.
What Can Replace Toothpicks?
Instead of using toothpicks, try relying on more suitable dental tools. Some good examples include:
- Oral Rinses: Swishing water (or mouthwash) will quickly remove the food stuck in your smile. Better yet, it’ll do so without harming your teeth or gums.
- Dental Floss: Dentist-approved floss is effective at removing debris, plaque, and bacteria from between your teeth. It’s also quite safe, whether you use the traditional strong or a flosser stick.
- Water Flossers: Well-known by brand names like Waterpik™, water flossers dislodge food and other particles with a high-pressure water stream. They also work without causing oral issues for your teeth.
Toothpicks really are bad for your teeth, and you ultimately don’t need them. Use the above replacements going forward, or see your dentist about other alternatives.
About the Practice
Lake Boone Dentistry is based in Raleigh, NC. Led by Drs. Ricke and Douglas, our practice is always striving to meet your smile’s every need. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dental work, with each treatment tailored to your situation. You can also count on us for custom Invisalign aligners and help with dental emergencies. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (919)-781-8610.