- Why you shouldn't use a toothpick
- 1. Remove the protective layer from the tooth
- 2. Increases the risk of gum infections
- 3. Increases the spaces between the teeth
- 4. Causes falling teeth
- 5. Stimulates the growth of plaque
The toothpick is a wooden accessory that has been used for many years to remove pieces of food from the middle of the teeth, preventing the accumulation of bacteria and the development of cavities.
However, its use may not be as beneficial as expected and may even be responsible for the appearance of problems in the mouth, especially infections, gingivitis or retraction of the gums, for example.
Thus, the best option is always to use the brush to clean your teeth or, if you are away from home, use dental floss to remove food from the spaces between your teeth. The toothpick should only be used as a last resort, when there is no other option available.
Why you shouldn't use a toothpick
Although the toothpick helps to easily remove the pieces of food between the teeth, it also has several disadvantages such as:
1. Remove the protective layer from the tooth
Because it is a hard object, and is used strongly against teeth, the toothpick can cause an erosion of the tooth enamel, which is the outermost layer and helps to protect the tooth against bacteria and cavities.
Although this erosion is very low, when used very often, the toothpick can cause enamel flaws, which increase with time and allow bacteria to enter.
2. Increases the risk of gum infections
The thin tip of the toothpick is sharp enough to easily pierce the gums and cause a wound. This wound, in addition to causing some pain and discomfort, also ends up being a gateway for bacteria to enter the body. Thus, the greater the number of wounds and the frequency with which they appear, the greater the risk of having gingivitis.
3. Increases the spaces between the teeth
Most people use the toothpick without much care, pushing it hard between the teeth spaces to better clean the food that has been accumulating. However, this movement can cause the teeth to move slightly apart, especially if done several times a day, functioning as a dental device that is constantly pushing the teeth, but in the opposite direction.
4. Causes falling teeth
In people who have a retracted gum, the teeth may be more visible at the base, and may even expose the root of the tooth. When this happens, it is easy to reach with the toothpick in this region of the tooth, which ends up being more fragile and which can break or suffer micro-fractures due to the action of the toothpick.
When the root is affected, the tooth is less stable and, therefore, in addition to causing some pain, there is also a risk of the tooth falling out, as it is not well attached to the gums.
5. Stimulates the growth of plaque
While toothpicks may seem to help clean your teeth and remove bacteria, often what happens is that the toothpick removes only part of the dirt, pushing the rest into a corner between your teeth. This makes it harder to remove dirt afterwards, which ends up accumulating bacteria and contributing to the growth of plaque and the development of cavities.
