For some people, even when they drink water they must pick their teeth. Of course, food residues can get trapped in our teeth each time we eat, and because they make us feel uncomfortable, we feel the desperate urge to remove them.
But then, the truth is that some people have turned tooth-picking into a habit, such that it has become an integral part of the meal.
Some even go as far as leaving the toothpick hanging between their lips for a long time after meal, as if the object is a fashion statement of sorts.
Where there are no decent and hygienic toothpicks, some people simply make do with broom sticks, never minding the dirty jobs the broom may have been employed to do all the while. By so doing, they unwittingly transfer germs or harmful bacteria into their mouths — an action that can lead to severe health consequences as time goes on.
As we age, a lot of things give way, and our teeth are not exempted from the ageing processes. In fact, dentists say, ageing can make the gums to recede, creating wide spaces between the teeth due to gum loss.
Sometimes too, when we do some tooth jobs such as dental restoration, it can affect the tooth alignment and create gaps between the teeth if not properly done. This may cause food to collect between the teeth after each meal.
Those who have crooked or crowded teeth usually have issues with food lodging in-between their teeth. This is because the spaces between their teeth are as uneven as the teeth alignment itself, creating room for all sorts of stuffs to accumulate in the mouth via the teeth.
A dentist, Dr. Jumoke Charles-Olugbodi, says the possible reasons for getting food stuck in-between the teeth on a regular basis could also be as a result of dental fillings that are not shaped properly.
She says sometimes, too, teeth do shift and we may also develop a hole in a tooth. All these conditions make food to get jammed in-between teeth.
Charles-Olugbodi warns that if these problems, especially hole in the tooth, are not attended to as soon as possible, they can lead to greater problems such as decay on the root of teeth.
Dangers in a stick
Experts agree that cleaning between the teeth is very important; however, they note, how you do the cleaning is very important and it also depends on the size and width of the space.
They are of the view that using hard toothpicks can actually damage the gum tissue, especially if they are used to often — like four or five times a day as some people do each time they eat.
The dentist says toothpicks are harder on the papilla — the little triangle of gum tissue between the teeth. She says when you repeatedly push that tissue down, it would lose its balance and really move down.
Experts at Health Tap, an online forum, agree that toothpicks that are used overzealously can damage tooth enamel, lacerate gums, and even cause a broken tooth in severe cases.
“Overly aggressive use of toothpicks can severely wear the roots of teeth, especially in cases where gums have pulled away from the teeth and leave teeth with root surfaces exposed, especially among the elderly,” health tap enthuses.
As many of us may have experienced, toothpicks can break off and get lodged in-between the teeth. When this happens, it only worsens the problem, as it can form splinters that stick into the gums.
“Toothpicks can cause abrasion and damage to your teeth at the base, where they meet the gums. This can lead to gum disease and other dental problems. A broken splinter can be trapped in your gums, or you can swallow or worse, inhale, a piece and have serious problems,” health tap counsels.
Worse still, experts say, repeated use of toothpicks can cause undesired spacing due to orthodontic pressure that is mounted on the teeth.
“When used excessively or with too much enthusiasm, pointed toothpicks can do some real damage to the roots, gums and any dental appliances. Overuse of toothpicks often leads to unintentional stabs at the gums and may contribute to gum recession,” physicians warn.
Flexible dental picks
The good news is that these days, many toothpaste brands come with flexible dental picks that will not splinter or poke the gums.
Besides, dentists advise, if you must use a toothpick, “use it just to dislodge the food trapped between your teeth by taking the tip of the toothpick near the gum line and point it towards the chewing or top edge of the tooth.
“Do not point into the gums. Gently lift the particle out and away from you. Don’t push the pick all the way between your teeth. You will do more harm.”
8 ways to wreck your teeth
•Sucking the thumb: Children who still suck their fingers or thumbs after their permanent teeth start coming in usually around the age of five or six could be causing permanent changes that affect tooth and jaw structure. Specifically, thumb sucking can cause a misalignment of the teeth.
•Let go of lemons: People who suck lemons may be putting their dental health in jeopardy. Why? Lemons are very acidic. The acidity corrodes the enamel. Repeated exposure to acidic substances can cause tooth enamel to erode, creating a rough texture on the surface of the teeth.
•Don’t brush too hard: Brushing your teeth regularly is part of good oral hygiene, but if you brush too vigorously, it can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, make your teeth sensitive to cold, and even cause cavities.
•Stop jaw clenching, tooth grinding: For some people, stress can trigger frequent clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth. This brings severe amount of pressure on your teeth and you can get microfractures or actual fractures as a result.
•Don’t crunch on ice: Ice cubes may seem harmless, but the cold temperature and the hardness of ice cubes can cause serious damage to your teeth.
•Your teeth are not a tool: Many people use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a package of potato chips, or even unscrew bottle tops. All these threaten your dental health and can damage dental work or cause your teeth to crack.
•Don’t park pencil between your teeth: Some people have a habit of holding objects — such as pens, pencils, or eyeglasses between their teeth when concentrating on a difficult task. But they might not realise how much pressure they’re placing on their teeth as they bite down on a non-food object. Biting on a pen or a similar object can cause your teeth to shift or even crack.
•Stop nail biting: Regularly biting your nails can cause your teeth to move out of place. In addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter.
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