After you finish up your favorite foods, you may run your tongue across your teeth and feel some stuck morsels lingering. It may be a habit to grab a toothpick and poke at them until they are all free. However, did you know that using this household object can actually be harmful to your oral health? Here are three ways they can damage your smile and safer options you can reach for instead.
1.) Injure Your Gums
As you likely already know, toothpicks have pointy ends. This is how they can get between your grin, but this can spell bad news for your gums if you aren’t careful. If you are too rough, then you may accidentally jab too hard at them and pierce them.
2.) Damage Your Enamel
Your gums aren’t the only structure that can be affected. Your enamel can be worn down because of toothpicks, too. The wooden sticks are abrasive against your teeth, so you can weaken this top layer. Over time, you may be at a higher risk of cavities. Using them on rare occasions may not cause much trouble, but be sure not to use them too often.
3.) Get Stuck in Your Gums
Last but not least, there may be a piece of food that you have trouble getting out. You’ll poke at it, but the leverage can make the toothpick break in your gums! Now there’ll be two things stuck, but the wood can splinter. If you don’t get it all out, then it can become lodged and lead to an infection or discomfort.
What Can You Use Aside from Toothpicks?
With all that being said, you may wonder what you should grab instead of your “trusty” toothpicks. Here are some options that can be just as effective or more so:
- Interdental brushes are specifically designed to get between your teeth. They come in a wide range of sizes, so you can find the right fit for you and reach areas that your normal toothbrush can’t.
- Floss sticks are a convenient option as they have a plastic piece with a taut, precut piece of floss. Run it where there is a stray morsel, and it can help knock it out of place!
- Water flossers are another great thing you can have at home. They are an effective method for those who have trouble handling traditional floss thread. This device will spray water that efficiently cleans out your smile without harming it.
About the Practice
At Lakeland Dental Care, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Bradley Malley and Dr. Alex Abernathy. We are here to help the Jackson community take care of their oral health, even during dental emergencies. By offering same-day urgent visits, you can get the relief you need right away, especially if you have something stuck in your smile. If you want to ensure your oral health stays strong, schedule an appointment or call our office at (601) 981-8166.