Dental picks are tools people use at home to clean between their teeth, ranging from simple wooden toothpicks and plastic cleaners to instruments mistakenly called “scalers” or “plaque scrapers,” and even powered devices like water flossers. The short answer is that these tools absolutely can cause damage, particularly when misused or when an inappropriate tool is chosen for home care. This risk is primarily due to the delicate nature of the gums and the hard, non-regenerative surface of tooth enamel.
How Dental Picks Cause Damage
Aggressive use of any rigid pick causes immediate and long-term damage to the soft tissues of the mouth. When a sharp implement tears gum tissue, it creates an entry point for oral bacteria, leading to inflammation, bleeding, and potential infection. Repeated trauma can permanently push back the gum line, causing gum recession and exposing the tooth’s sensitive root surface.
Damage also affects the tooth structure, particularly enamel and softer root surfaces. Although enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, metal or hard wooden picks used with force can cause micro-scratches or abrasions. Repetitive use wears down the enamel, increasing the tooth’s vulnerability to decay and sensitivity. If the gum has receded, scraping the exposed, softer root cementum can easily lead to permanent grooving and notching.
Dental restorations are also at risk from the improper use of picks and scrapers. Fillings, crowns, and veneers are generally durable, but concentrated pressure from a rigid point can chip the edge of a restoration or weaken its bond. Attempting to scrape away hardened plaque (tartar) can push debris further beneath the gum line, accelerating gum disease and potentially leading to an abscess.
Varying Risks Based on Pick Type
The risk of injury varies significantly depending on the material and design of the interdental tool. Manual metal picks, often sold as at-home dental scalers, carry the highest risk because they are dangerously sharp and designed for professional use. A layperson risks gouging the enamel, severely traumatizing the gums, or accidentally pushing hardened calculus deep into periodontal pockets.
Wooden or plastic toothpicks are considered a medium risk. They are less sharp than metal but are still rigid and prone to misuse. Wooden picks can splinter or break off, leaving foreign bodies lodged in the gum tissue that require professional removal. Even plastic picks used with excessive force can cause localized trauma or widen the space between teeth over time.
Devices like water and air flossers, which use a pressurized stream, represent a lower risk profile. These powered devices clean by flushing away debris rather than scraping, making them gentle on the gums and enamel when used correctly. However, setting the pressure too high or aiming the jet directly into a deep gum pocket can still cause discomfort or potentially push bacteria deeper.
Safe Interdental Cleaning Practices
To safely clean between teeth and avoid the damage associated with rigid picks, dental professionals recommend using specialized alternatives. The gold standard for interdental cleaning is traditional dental floss for tight spaces and interdental brushes for wider gaps. Interdental brushes are effective at removing plaque when correctly sized to fit snugly, often requiring patients to use multiple sizes for different areas of the mouth.
When using traditional floss, the proper technique involves gently curving the strand into a C-shape around the tooth and moving it beneath the gum line. Avoid snapping the floss down, which can slice the gum tissue and cause trauma. Daily interdental cleaning is necessary because a toothbrush alone cannot reach nearly half of the tooth’s surface area.
If food frequently becomes stuck between teeth, this may indicate an underlying issue requiring professional attention. Persistent food impaction can signal a faulty filling, a developing cavity, or the presence of periodontal pockets. Consulting a dental professional allows the underlying cause to be fixed, eliminating the need for risky, repeated attempts to dislodge food with a sharp object.