When you’re traveling down the dental hygiene aisle, you’ll see lots of interesting stuff, should you take a moment to divert your attention away from the usual brush, floss, and paste. What are these interesting toothpick-and-dental-floss contraptions, you may wonder? The same is true at restaurants. While you pay, should your eyes wander a bit, you may notice an offering of toothpicks. What to make of these accessories that are meant to help you clean your teeth? While floss is always best, picks can help when you’re in a pinch!
Toothpicks: The Good And The Bad
Toothpicks are not inherently bad. Nor are they appropriate for daily dental hygiene. However, they present both benefits and drawbacks, should you choose to use them. Let’s break down the details:
- The Good: Toothpicks can be of assistance to you when you’re at a restaurant and you notice you have food stuck between teeth. They can most certainly help you remove that bit of oregano that won’t budge.
- The Bad: Toothpicks are made of wood and are pointy. Should you chew on them for extended periods of time or fail to practice caution, you can irritate teeth, injure your gum tissue, or deal with a splinter.
Floss Picks: The Good And The Bad
Though you find these in the dental hygiene aisle, they aren’t suggested for daily use. However:
- The Good: You can keep these with you, so if you’re at work or in the car and need to clean between teeth, you’ve got yourself a quick solution without having to handle a long strand of floss.
- The Bad: You shouldn’t use the same tiny piece of floss for your entire smile, so this won’t work for your daily hygiene. Again, this is a pointed pick, so it can cause damage.
Learn More About Daily Oral Health Details With Us
Not sure if you’re doing things correctly (or incorrectly) as you tend to your oral health needs throughout the day? Just let us know and we will be happy to help you stay on track. Visit us for a dental checkup in Ankeny, IA by contacting Dental Impressions to schedule a visit at (515) 965-0230.
