Reasons tooth picking is bad for your dental health

Many people pick their teeth to dislodge food stuck in between them after eating. Some people use them as a habit after every meal. Meanwhile, most of them are oblivious of the danger involved in tooth picking.

4 reasons why tooth picking is bad for your oral health:

• Constant tooth picking can break the enamel of your teeth. The enamel, which is a hard yet thin layer covering the crown of a tooth, is a vital tissue as it serves as the only protection against bacteria and plaque. Due to its thinness, the enamel can be broken by toothpicks, either when levered against or wearing down over time.
• It can cause damage to the gums: When a person uses a toothpick, they will occasionally poke their gums with it. Even worse is when too much pressure is applied and the toothpick slips into the gums, accidentally injuring them. When you have wounded or damaged gums, the chances of building up bacteria, infections, gingivitis and other gum problems is much higher. This is one reason why most dentists advise their patients to use dental floss instead of toothpicks as it has been proven to be safer and more effective at removing plaque and food debris.
• It can cause oral infections: Bear in mind that toothpicks are not always sterile as they are only stored on tables and closets kept inside their boxes or cases. Think twice about where this toothpick has been and how many people have touched it before putting it in your mouth.
• Toothpicks were introduced by cavemen. They didn’t have the resources or technology back then to take proper care of their teeth. All they had was a twig or a small branch of a plant to use as their means to clean their teeth. However, in this modern day and age, it is surprising that a lot of people are still into tooth picking given that it is generally considered to be hazardous to one’s oral health.

People often overlook the health hazards that toothpicks pose. There are no rules that prevent people from using toothpicks. All we have are constant reminders from dentists, health care professionals and concerned citizens to inform people that tooth picking is bad for your oral health.