Dr Niyati Arora, BDS, MDS (Prosthodontist) at Krown Hub Dental Clinic, Pitampura said, “The most common thing available to clean any food stuck between our teeth in a household or when we go out to eat is a toothpick. But using toothpicks to clean the food stuck can do more harm than benefit."
Have you ever instinctively reached for a toothpick after finishing a meal to clean out those pesky food particles? While it might seem like a harmless habit, the truth is, that using a toothpick can lead to a series of unexpected and unpleasant consequences.
Dr Sara Alhammadi, a dentist shared a video on Instagram mentioning, “Toothpicks, no, no… Do not use them. They are not safe, especially the wooden ones.”
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Dr Niyati Arora, BDS, MDS (Prosthodontist) at Krown Hub Dental Clinic, Pitampura said, “The most common thing available to clean any food stuck between our teeth in a household or when we go out to eat is a Toothpick. But using toothpicks to clean the food stuck can do more harm than benefit. The toothpicks are hard and very Sharp. Forceful use of toothpicks can accidental gum injuries like cuts or puncturing the gums.”
Poking them again and again between the teeth can cause the gum levels to go down and thus increasing the problem of food lodgement. The cuts and punctures act as a gateway to the entry of bacteria leaving our gums susceptible to various infections. Aggressive poking of toothpicks can even lead to breaking a fragment of toothpicks in our gums which ultimately leads to inflammation and bleeding, added Dr Arora.
Safer alternatives to toothpicks
The safer alternatives to toothpicks to clean the food between teeth Dr Arora suggested that are friendly to the soft linings of gums as well would be floss and interdental brushes.
The floss comes in two varieties — one is the commonly used threaded floss and the other one is a water flosser in which a pulsating water stream can help to flush off the food and also be kind to the gums. The interdental brushes are like mini versions of the bottle brushes. They have crisscross bristles and come in 3 common sizes Narrow, medium, and large which correspond to the space that is present between the two teeth, said Dr Arora.
Conditions where using a toothpick might be particularly harmful
Dr Arora added that toothpick abuse can cause damage to gum tissue, which can result in bleeding, discomfort, and sometimes infection. Toothpicks can chip or break teeth when used incorrectly, especially if they’re sharp or if you use too much force. Toothpick reuse raises the risk of infection by transferring bacteria from one part of the mouth to another. Toothpicks can irritate delicate oral tissues like the palate, tongue, and cheeks even when used carefully.
Toothpicks should never be used but especially in case of gingival swelling which is known as gingivitis or in case of periodontitis, using toothpicks is absolutely prohibited, stressed Dr Arora.
How can people maintain good oral hygiene without relying on toothpicks?
Toothpicks are not required and should not be used for maintaining oral hygiene. In fact, normal brushing using fluoride toothpaste regularly helps to eliminate food particles and plaque from gums and teeth, which reduces any need for toothpicks, said Dr Arora
Flossing using normal dental floss can be used to remove food particles and plaque from the spaces between teeth and the gum line. Without the risk of harm from toothpicks, using an antimicrobial mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria and freshen your breath. Water Flossers are an alternative to traditional flossing or the use of toothpicks, water flossers employ a stream of water to clean in between teeth and along the gum line, suggested Dr Arora.