Why You Should Be Avoiding Toothpicks to Clean Your Teeth
Posted on 9/21/2021 by Dr. Michael Wockenfus
Toothpicks are not just for tough guys. In fact, many people reach for toothpicks to clean between their teeth. While we support the cause to clean the debris between your teeth, we would like to offer an alternative to using a toothpick to get the job done.
Don't Grab for a Toothpick to Get the Food Out of Your Teeth
Toothpicks are not ideal for cleaning your teeth. In fact, they can cause gum damage that could lead to bacterial infections. Also, if you forcefully and repeatedly lodge a toothpick against a dental veneer or filling you could damage your existing dental work. Toothpicks break easily. They can break, splinter, or get stuck between your gums. Not only is this painful, but you will also have to remove all the pieces from between your gums, which defeats the purpose in the first place! Lastly, toothpicks are far from sanitary. Dropped and reused, toothpicks are often put back in your mouth which introduces bad bacteria into your mouth and body.
Flossing as an Alternative to Using a Toothpick
Flossing is a better alternative to using a toothpick. It is important to floss every day to rid your mouth of food debris and keep your gums healthy. It is much easier to add flossing to your daily routine than it is to fix costly dental problems down the road caused by using toothpicks.
Give us a Call
If we have not seen you for six months, it is time to make an appointment for your professional cleaning and dental checkup. We look forward to discussing any dental issues you may have and helping you to develop good oral habits. We care about the future of your oral health and want to help you take steps now to have a bright future.
Dental Blog | Dentist Menasha, WI | Mid Valley Dental, S.C. Michael J. Wockenfus, DDS created a blog to educate the community. It is your resource for all dentistry questions. Learn and read topics in the blog here! Mid Valley Dental, SC, 903 E. Airport Road, Menasha, WI 54952 + (920) 215-4160 + midvalleydental.com + 12/6/2024 + Key Phrases: dentist Menasha WI +
Toothpicks are not just for tough guys. In fact, many people reach for toothpicks to clean between their teeth. While we support the cause to clean the debris between your teeth, we would like to offer an alternative to using a toothpick to get the job done.
