Toothpicks Can Damage Teeth
You would think that the hard enamel of your teeth could sustain any lasting damage from a small splinter of wood. However, frequent toothpick use can create fractures on tooth enamel, dental restorations, or even tooth roots if they are exposed.
Are toothpicks as good as flossing?
Toothpicks are handy, convenient and readily available. And while they are helpful in dislodging food from your teeth, toothpicks are not designed for dental cleaning and should not be substituted for flossing or brushing. Flossing is the preferred method for removing food and plaque from between your teeth.
Do toothpicks cause receding gums?
“Using hard wooden toothpicks over and over can cause the gums that fill the space between the teeth to recede, and can wear round grooves between the teeth,” he said. Another good daily tool is an oral irrigator such as qater-pik or hydro-floss devices.