{"id":333,"date":"2023-04-07T15:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-07T15:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peeryfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/?p=333"},"modified":"2023-05-24T15:54:08","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T15:54:08","slug":"why-toothpicks-are-dangerous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peeryfamilydentistry.com\/blog\/why-toothpicks-are-dangerous\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Toothpicks are Dangerous\u2014and What to Use Instead"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"someone<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve finished a big meal, you probably want to reach for whatever you can to get any leftover gunk out of your teeth. A lot of the time, that\u2019s a toothpick\u2014plenty of people carry them around, and restaurants often keep them by the front exit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the uncomfortable truth is that toothpicks can do more harm than good. If you\u2019re wondering why that could be the case, here are a few reasons these tools can be dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Are Toothpicks a Problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As convenient as toothpicks are, there are quite a few ways that using them can go wrong. In the worst cases, using a toothpick can even lead to a dental emergency that requires immediate attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, most toothpicks are manufactured in bulk, meaning that they often aren\u2019t constructed very well. That means that there\u2019s often a chance that the toothpicks will splinter, getting lodged in the gums or the teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this is only the beginning. Even if the toothpick itself doesn\u2019t break, there\u2019s always a serious possibility that you could slip while cleaning and slice the soft tissue in your mouth. In the worst cases, it\u2019s even possible for the toothpick to puncture the tongue or palette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Use Instead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While these risks are serious, the instinct to want to clean up after a meal is a good one. Thankfully, there are plenty of safer ways to do that than toothpicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dental floss is likely one of the first to come to mind. When used properly it\u2019s completely safe, and it comes in a small enough package to take anywhere. It\u2019s also much more adept at getting in between the teeth than toothpicks are, meaning you can probably get a deeper clean than you could otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you feel like floss is a little too finicky, you might prefer flossers. These are small plastic \u201cy\u201ds with a small strip of floss between the tines, offering the cleaning power of floss much more conveniently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, if you really love the feeling of a toothpick, you might be a fan of interdental brushes. These are small plastic or metal twigs designed to slide between the teeth safely, providing you with a much deeper and safer clean than what a toothpick can give you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Our Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry, we make it our mission to help everyone in your family get the highest quality dental care available anywhere. More than that, we have taken active measures to make our office as comfortable as possible, with a friendly dental staff that will make your family feel like part of ours. No matter who you are, we\u2019re confident that we can help you with your issues!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions about how best to clean your teeth, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (434) 847-5331.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019ve finished a big meal, you probably want to reach for whatever you can to get any leftover gunk out of your teeth. A lot of the time, that\u2019s a toothpick\u2014plenty of people carry them around, and restaurants often keep them by the front exit. However, the uncomfortable truth is that toothpicks can do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Toothpicks Are Dangerous | Peery Family Dentistry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It can be tempting to use a toothpick after meals, but that can do more harm than good. 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