Illustrative photo (Image: youngisthan.in)
Speaking exclusively with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on
Thursday in Ilorin, Dr. Alatishe Muhammad, an expert in Dentistry, has
warned that using toothpick to remove food remnant from teeth could harm
the teeth and gums.
The medical practitioner who said that what was medically
recommended was cleaning between the teeth at least once a day, using an
interdental cleaner such as floss, adding that a toothpick was not
considered as an interdental cleaner, and as such it was not recommended
for cleaning teeth.
“Using a toothpick is not an ideal way to remove something
stuck between your teeth. 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,” he said.
Muhammad said that preventive dentistry was the modern ways of
helping individuals keep a healthy mouth, adding that preventive
dentistry helped keep the teeth healthy, leaving people with less of
dental treatment.
“Every age group can benefit from preventive dentistry,
including the very elderly, the very young ones and also those without
teeth where mouth cancer and denture stomatitis can be prevented.”
According to the medical expert who further advised people on the
need to eat healthily through consumption of fruits, vegetables,
adequate nutrition, diet and less sugary substances; “Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, ingestion of fizzy and acidic drinks with straw is better than alcohol.”
According to him, brushing of teeth should be done at other times
during the day and also last thing at night. He advised people against
visiting traditional homes to remove fictitious worms from the mouth,
adding that such method made people to fall victims and incur more harm
than good.
The dentist also urged people to embark on regular checkups in
approved dental clinics every three months and cleaning of teeth every
six months.
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