THE POST-MEAL RITUAL OF THE TOOTHPICK

Aug 06, 2017 Dental Health, Features / Columnists

By Dr. Neromini Fagu

It is a common sight to see displays of wooden toothpicks on tables at home and in restaurants. For many West Indians, it is simply part of the dining experience.
A lot of people tend to use a toothpick after every meal to rid their mouth of excess food particles that may be stuck between their teeth. No doubt keeping your teeth clean of food debris is important to better oral health, but some people feel incomplete if they do not end a meal without using a toothpick.
No one can dispute that a toothpick can be a most effective tool to succeed where your tongue and fingers fail. Yes, a toothpick may significantly benefit you in crunch time when access to dental floss is not available.
And let’s face it, it is more discreet manoeuvring a toothpick than using a piece of floss at the table. Some people have mastered the art of using a toothpick in public without little attention to the fact that they are busily trying to get that pesky piece of chicken from between their teeth.
The humble toothpick we have come to know today was patented by American Charles Forster in the mid19th Century.
During a trip to Brazil, he noticed the locals using toothpicks. When he returned to America, he developed the machinery to manufacture the toothpick from local softwoods. He devised creative marketing strategies to get his products to the consumers, even hiring men from Harvard to demand toothpicks after eating their meals in restaurants.
There are certain pitfalls of using toothpicks, made of wood or other materials, as a choice of food removal tool, and you may want to reassess your selection.Since toothpicks are limited in their ability to reach between your teeth, when used excessively or improperly, they may result in negative consequences to both your teeth and gums.
Some of these include:
· Lacerating the Gums: This can happen if toothpicks are used frequently or vigorously.
· Damaging Tooth Enamel: Especially if one chews on the toothpick.
· Creating Spaces: Constant pressure on the gums between the teeth.
· Chipping Veneers and Bondings: Dental restorations can also fracture because of toothpick use.
· Damaging Tooth Roots: Especially if there is existing gum recession.
There are alternatives to the use of toothpicks for cleaning your teeth. These include the conventional dental floss, dental floss sticks and interdental brushes. Although dental floss is generally more effective than toothpicks, it can also damage your teeth and gums if not used properly. For proper use of dental floss you should wrap each end of a length of floss around your index fingers, and use your thumbs for leverage as you carefully manoeuvre the floss between your teeth.
The floss should be angled around the side of one tooth forming a C-shape and gently moved up and down.This movement should be repeated with the other tooth. Remember to use a different part of the floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
If you must use a wooden toothpick, there are a few points to consider. Don’t be forceful with the toothpick and be discreet, preferably using it in a private place like the restroom. Avoid retaining the toothpick in your mouth after use. It is not cool walking around with it sticking out of your mouth and you run the risk of accidentally swallowing it. For safety and hygiene purposes it is best to use individually pre-wrapped toothpicks.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].