Are Toothpicks Really that Dangerous to My Mouth?

Posted on 7/23/2020 by Bryan Neu

If you look at one of the old classic movies, you might see a tough guy chewing on a toothpick. However, this small item should never be chewed or used at all. If a tooth pick breaks in your mouth, you can experience intestinal problems or get scratched on the inside of your mouth. It might also cause you to choke or cause injury to your esophagus. Therefore, if you want to use a toothpick, you have to be extremely careful.

What Are Toothpicks?

As the name suggests, toothpicks are used and have been used throughout time to remove food from between the teeth. While they were formerly made of wood, they are made of both wood and plastic today. People often use toothpicks to create hors d'oeuvres for a party. Sometimes they use them to remove food from their teeth with bad results. If a toothpick breaks and gets lodged between the teeth, it can lead to a dental dilemma, such as an infection.

Why Are Toothpicks Bad?

To remove food from between the teeth, it is better to use floss picks or floss, never toothpicks. Toothpicks can irritate the gums and can scratch them, which can open them up to an infection. While toothpicks are still used, it is best not to use them for your dental care, especially when you can use floss. You can also use a water flosser to gently remove residue or debris. Using a toothpick does not offer a gentle way to remove a food particle in the mouth.

Call our office about all your dental concerns and needs. If you have questions about using a product for your at-home dental care give us a call or ask us by contacting us by email. We want you to care for your teeth confidently and effectively. Again, give us a call anytime. We can schedule an appointment for any dental need.

For more information about some of the related services we offer explore the links to below!
Oral Hygiene
Teeth Cleaning
Dental Exam
Periodontal Maintenance

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