Hard wooden toothpicks are not ideal for cleaning teeth because they can cause gum damage that could lead to infection. Rough and frequent toothpick use can damage existing dental work like fillings or veneers. Toothpicks can also break, splinter, and get lodged in your gums.

Can metal mess up your teeth?

One wrong bite and that metal stud can actually crack a tooth. The metal in your mouth can also scratch and ultimately infect your gums, damage of which can lead to tooth loss.

Why do dentists scrape teeth with metal?

Scraping is an essential task to thoroughly eliminate harmful plaque and tartar buildup in order to improve your oral health and your overall health. Typically, a dental hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of deposits around and under your gumline, and between and on the surface of your teeth.