Toothpicks: 5 reasons to never use them

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It would seem that a harmless wooden stick. So what could be wrong with it? But here's what:

Normally, toothpicks are not needed at all

If you have healthy teeth, any food residue should be easily removed after rinsing. And if something constantly gets stuck in them so that you can’t do without a toothpick, then this is a reason to make an appointment with the dentist.

Maybe you have developed caries and a cavity in your tooth. Or your teeth are moving apart, and therefore food gets stuck between them. Or maybe a filling has broken off. In any case, this is not normal.

Toothpicks can cause periodontal pockets and abscesses

If you constantly have food residues stuck in your gums, and you also scrape it with the sharp tip of a toothpick, this is the path to inflammation. And then the formation of a periodontal pocket – the space between the gums and the tooth root.

It turns out a vicious circle: food gets stuck in the pockets, bacteria multiply, and inflammation intensifies even more. Because of this, the tooth may start to wobble, and then leave you altogether.

They can cause bleeding gums and stomatitis

Yes, one awkward “knock” is enough to provoke bleeding. And, given that toothpicks are not sterile (if they are not individually packaged), you can introduce an infection into the wound.