Why should you not use toothpicks?

According to Doctor 2 Bui Thi Loan Chi, Department of Dentistry, Military Hospital 175, the habit of using toothpicks to remove leftover food from between teeth can ruin your smile and cause serious harm to your health. oral health, especially teeth and gums.

Damage to tooth enamel, tooth erosion

Toothpicks are usually made of wood or bamboo with two pointed ends. Floss will damage tooth enamel. Many people chew toothpicks, which can lead to premature tooth enamel wear.

Gum damage, tooth decay, infection

Even if toothpicks do not seriously damage your mouth, they are still unhygienic. If you don’t floss carefully, the sharp end of the toothpick accidentally punctures your gums, causing bleeding gums, receding gums, exposing tooth roots, causing sensitivity and tooth decay.

Sticking a toothpick deep into the gum can transfer any bacteria from the tip below the gum line, increasing the risk of infection. In some cases, broken toothpicks, especially cheap toothpicks, cause small pieces of wood to get stuck between teeth or in the gums, even piercing the roof of the mouth… risk of dental infection.

Create gaps and gaps between teeth

Toothpicks stuck in the same spot frequently can put enough pressure on teeth to shift them, creating extra space that shouldn’t be there.

Toothpicks can cause damage to dental restorations

If you have fillings, porcelain veneers or dental crowns (caps, crowns…), using a toothpick can accidentally pry them out of your teeth.

What should I use instead of a toothpick?

Dr. Chi recommends that to remove unwanted food particles stuck between teeth, Brush your teeth properly is the safest method. Can be used mouthwash to remove debris first.

If the above methods are not effective, you should use them dental floss. This is the best way to clean between teeth. Flexible dental floss removes debris stuck in the tight spaces between teeth, going deeper than a toothpick. Used properly, the thread will not cause harm and is safer for oral tissue.

You can also use it dental floss toothpick. This is a small plastic tool with a small piece of dental floss attached. They are safe, hygienic, reach hard-to-reach areas, and pose no risk of damaging gums or teeth.

If you like the feeling of using a toothpick, you can replace it with interdental brush. Unlike traditional toothbrushes, interdental brushes are designed to clean teeth from the inside. They are portable, choose available sizes that slide between teeth and remove food. The toothbrush is made of plastic so it is much safer and more durable than wooden toothpicks.

If you have difficulty using dental floss or the alternatives mentioned above, you can use it water flosser. The machine uses water pressure to remove trapped food particles that accumulate from and between teeth. They are especially useful for people with braces who have difficulty using regular dental floss, being very gentle on oral tissue, helping with oral hygiene habits.

Chew gum After meals can also help remove food debris, stimulate saliva production and neutralize the mouth, preventing tooth decay.