A toothpick is a small, pointed instrument designed for the mechanical removal of food debris trapped between the teeth. This common practice, often done after a meal, is an effective short-term solution for dislodging particles a toothbrush might miss. While the use of a pick is widespread, employing the correct technique is necessary to avoid causing trauma to the gums and teeth. Understanding the proper method and the risks involved ensures the tool is used only for its intended purpose.
Step-by-Step Safe Application
The proper mechanical action when using a traditional wooden toothpick focuses on stability and gentle force to protect the gum tissue. Before insertion, moistening the wooden tip with saliva can slightly soften the wood and reduce the chance of splintering. Hold the pick firmly but lightly between the thumb and forefinger. Use the remaining fingers to rest against the jaw or chin for leverage and control, preventing sudden slips.
For picks with a triangular cross-section, orient the flat side toward the gum line. This allows the pick to fit into the natural triangular space between two teeth without aggressively piercing the gum. Gently slide the tip into the space, ensuring no force is required for entry.
Once the pick is positioned in the interproximal space, move it in a horizontal and diagonal back-and-forth motion, repeating the action five to ten times. The movement should be deliberate and controlled, scraping the surfaces of the teeth to dislodge the trapped food particle. Always focus only on the space between the teeth, and never attempt to scrape the broad surfaces of the tooth enamel.
After cleaning one space, move the tip along the surface of the adjacent tooth until the next gap is reached, ensuring all areas are addressed. If the tip of the pick begins to bend or fray, discard it immediately, as a damaged tip increases the risk of leaving wood fragments behind. The entire process should be executed gently, stopping immediately if any pain or bleeding occurs.
Understanding Different Types of Picks
While “toothpick” often refers to the traditional wooden variety, the category of interdental cleaning tools includes several distinct designs. Traditional wooden picks are typically made from soft woods like birch and are often triangular in cross-section, designed to fit the contours of the gum line. The primary concern with wooden picks is the potential for the tip to break or splinter, leaving fragments lodged in the gum tissue.
Plastic picks often incorporate a flexible tip and sometimes feature dental floss strung across a curved end, combining two tools in one. These plastic versions, sometimes called floss picks, are less likely to splinter and offer a more flexible approach to accessing tight areas. The plastic point on the opposite end is intended to dislodge larger particles before flossing.
Specialized interdental tools, such as soft picks and interdental brushes, are designed for more thorough cleaning than simple food removal. The choice of tool should align with the specific size of the interdental space, as a tool that is too large or too small will not clean effectively.
Soft Picks
Soft picks feature a plastic handle topped with a rubbery, cone-shaped tip. This tip is covered in small, flexible silicone bristles.
Interdental Brushes
Interdental brushes are small, cone-shaped brushes that come in a range of sizes. Users can select a brush head that precisely fits the size of the gap between their teeth.
Risks of Incorrect Handling and Usage
Improper handling of a toothpick can lead to several forms of damage to the oral environment. Aggressively inserting or moving the pick can injure the gingival tissue, causing localized irritation, bleeding, or eventually leading to gum recession. Repeated trauma to the gums exposes the sensitive root surfaces of the teeth, increasing sensitivity and the risk of decay.
Using excessive force to wedge a pick between tightly spaced teeth can cause subtle damage to the tooth structure. The repeated scraping of a wooden or hard plastic tip against the enamel can create microabrasions, slowly wearing down the outer layer of the tooth. Constant pressure from a pick in the same spot over time can gradually widen the interdental space, paradoxically creating a larger area where food can become trapped.
A significant physical risk, especially with wooden picks, is the possibility of the instrument breaking during use, leaving a splinter embedded in the gum or between the teeth. If a fragment is forced deeply into the gum, it can trigger localized inflammation or infection. There is also the danger of accidentally swallowing or aspirating a small, sharp object if the pick is improperly manipulated or breaks.