Are Toothpicks Safe to Use?

Toothpicks are commonly used to extricate food from between teeth. If your teeth have tiny gaps, you may be a person who gets food stuck between your teeth every time you eat. In that case, toothpicks can seem essential. But are they safe to use?

Gum Damage is Possible

There’s a risk of damaging the gums when you use any sharp object near the gums, including toothpicks. These sharp, pointy “tools” can easily slip and cause a gum laceration that can be painful and slow to heal. The wooden toothpicks can easily splinter, requiring the help of adentist in Morristown, TN to safely extricate.

Unreliable

Toothpicks aren’t actually the greatest at getting food debris out, either. They can certainly work for larger bits, but smaller bits can easily be left behind. For this reason, most dentists recommend flossing after a meal rather than relying on toothpicks. Of course, you don’t want to bring out floss at the dinner table, but neither should you be picking at your teeth with a toothpick in public.

What’s the Verdict?

No one is saying you should never use a toothpick, but for reliable cleaning, the old standbys of brushing, flossing and rinsing work better. As far as safety, toothpicks introduce risks that you shouldn’t really have to deal with, so avoidance may be a good option.

Plastic or Wood?

Wood toothpicks are more common than plastic, but both are readily available. The question is, if you’re going to use toothpicks, is wood better or plastic? Generally speaking, wood toothpicks are probably better, since natural materials are always better than plastics.

For all your dental care needs, come to Simple Dental, theMorristown, TN dentist your whole family can rely on for quality oral health in a friendly, professional environment.