Why You Shouldn't Use Toothpicks When Food Gets Stuck

Hello!

I am Director Jang Tae-hyeon of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

The discomfort most commonly reported by middle-aged patients

"Food gets stuck and it drives me crazy!"

They often say it feels so uncomfortable that it gets stuck every time they eat, and they even ask us to block the gums.

People often use toothpicks to remove stuck food because they are easy to use.

You can easily see people doing this even when they finish paying and leave restaurants~

�bBut stop using toothpicks!!!

Why food gets stuck, and why you should not use toothpicks

Let me explain~!!

I provide 1:1 counseling in the consultation room ^^

Experiencing discomfort from food getting stuck between your teeth after a meal, is something everyone has likely experienced at least once.

�bI also have certain areas where food gets stuck especially easily.

In situations like this, many people casually use a toothpick.

It is also called a "yoji" ^^

Using a toothpick can actually make food get stuck even more!!

Today, along with the causes of food getting stuck, I will explain why you should avoid using toothpicks, and what the alternatives are.

Main causes of food getting stuck

240226

1. Space between the teeth and gums

�bWhen a gap forms between the teeth and gums, food can get stuck more easily.

�bAs the gums recede, the space between the teeth and gums can widen too~

2. Gum recession due to aging

�bIt didn't used to be like this when I was younger... It gets stuck more as I get older!!" people often complain.

That's true~~

As we age, the teeth may shift little by little, or the gums may weaken, causing gaps to widen and food to get stuck more often!

A sad thing,,,ㅠㅠ

231030

Teeth also look longer because the gums recede and the tooth roots become exposed!!

3. Problems with cavities or prosthetic restorations

�bWhen cavities develop and eat away at the tooth surface, holes form.

�bNaturally, food can get stuck there,

and if you use a prosthetic restoration that does not fit well, it can create an environment where food gets trapped more easily!

Why shouldn't you use toothpicks?

�bMany people use toothpicks because they feel uncomfortable when food gets stuck. But this can cause major problems for dental health.

�bOne of the things dentists dislike most is toothpicks~

Because they can damage the gumsㅠㅠ

Toothpicks are made of sharp, hard wood, so when used, they are highly likely to poke or injure the gums.

�bIf the food doesn't come out easily, people keep prodding the gums until it does,

and wounds can form.

Also, if you use toothpicks repeatedly for food stuck between teeth, the space between the teeth can become wider.

�b Repeated use of toothpicks can make the gap between teeth widen even more.

This creates a vicious cycle in which food gets stuck even more often.

In addition, since it scratches the tooth surface, it can wear down the teeth, and for several reasons, I do not recommend toothpicks!

Here's how to deal with food getting stuck!! I understand it's uncomfortable~

A toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth with its bristles~

To manage the spaces between teeth, I recommend two tools.

Dental floss and interdental brushes.

At Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic, we explain how to use these tools after scaling, so please! make sure to use the proper tools!!

240122

Especially if the space between teeth is wide, use an interdental brush~

It's like a mini brush.

If the space between teeth is narrow! Please use dental floss~

These days, there are also flosses that are used like sawing, and we teach how to use floss easily, so

it's best to definitely use floss. It also helps prevent cavities between teeth~

For middle-aged adults, interdental brushes are more suitable than dental floss. Because the spaces between the gums are relatively wider~

Summary Food getting stuck may seem minor, but it can greatly affect the health of your teeth and gums.

To solve this, do not casually use toothpicks!!

Use dental floss or interdental brushes!!

I strongly recommend getting checked a nd learning how to use them as well.

Thank you.

| This post was written directly by Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and promoting the clinic, in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Advertising Act. The information provided is for reference only, and for symptom assessment and accurate management methods, please visit a medical institution and receive guidance from medical professionals. All procedures/surgeries performed at the dental clinic may involve possible side effects (such as inflammation, bleeding, swelling, etc.) depending on the individual. Please make decisions after sufficient consultation with medical professionals in advance. The treatment cases in this post were photographed with the consent of patients who completed treatment at our clinic, and the before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions. |

#foodstuck #toothpick