When you’ve finished a good meal, there’s nothing that feels worse than having a piece of your dinner lodged in your teeth. Many restaurants have a small box of toothpicks by the exit, and if you’re in this position you may be tempted to grab one to clean your teeth, but the truth is that that’s not the best idea.
On the contrary, there’s a real risk that a toothpick could do more harm than good for your teeth, even potentially leading to a dental emergency. If you’re wondering why, and what to use instead, here’s a guide that may help you.
Why are Toothpicks So Dangerous?
When you really think about it, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that toothpicks can be seriously dangerous. It also shouldn’t take all that much imagination to figure out how using one can go wrong, but it’s still worth talking about what can happen.
For one, cheap toothpicks are known to break and splinter under pressure, sometimes becoming lodged in the teeth or gums. In the worst cases, it may be impossible for you to dislodge without professional assistance.
However, that’s getting off easy. It’s also not uncommon for a toothpick to deal lacerations to your cheek, tongue, or gums. If you slip, you could even puncture the roof of your mouth.
What to Use Instead
With all this in mind, you may want to find another, safer way to clean your teeth. Thankfully, there is no shortage of ways to do that.
Dental floss is an obvious one, and one that you may already be familiar with. It’s small enough to carry with you, safe to use, and can give you a much deeper clean than a toothpick can. If a spool of floss doesn’t really sound appealing, you may want to try flossers that can be a little more portable.
If you really miss the feeling of a toothpick, you could also start carrying interdental brushes. These are small plastic brushes designed to fit between your teeth, but they’re much more durable than your average toothpick will be.
Next time you’re looking to get nice and clean after dinner, consider using one of these options—your dentist will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Marc Moulton is a dentist with over 30 years of experience in his field, and in that time, he feels enormously privileged to have been able to form meaningful relationships with countless patients based on trust and understanding. Dr. Moulton received his doctorate from the University of Alabama Dental School, and since then he has continued his education at the Spear Institute.
If you have any questions about how best to clean your teeth, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (205) 988-3360.