Wooden or Plastic Triangular Stick

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A modern alternative of the toothpick is the triangular shaped wooden or plastic stick, which can be used to remove plaque from areas between the teeth. Wooden sticks are made of balsa or birch wood, and are more easily bent than plastic sticks. The wooden stick can be softened in the mouth by moistening with saliva. A softer stick can be adapted more easily to the surfaces between teeth for more thorough cleaning, and is less damaging to the gum tissues over time. These sticks are triangular in cross section to slide easily between the teeth. This helps adapt to the shape of the space in-between the teeth, and to reduce potential trauma to the gum tissues. Triangular wood or plastic sticks should only be used on teeth where the gum does not completely fill the space in between the teeth. Using triangular wood or plastic sticks has been shown to reduce bacteria, inflammation, and bleeding sites. It has also been shown to remove plaque build up 2 to 3 mm from inside the gum by pushing down slightly in to the gums. (3)

How to use a Wooden or Plastic Triangular Stick:

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Moisten the end of the triangular wooden stick to soften it. Insert it between the teeth from the cheek side. Place the flat surface, or base of the triangle on the gum in between the teeth. Press against the gum to flatten it slightly. Angle the stick slightly towards the edge of the tooth. Move the triangular stick from the side of the tooth facing the cheek to the other opposite side near the tongue. Apply approximately four brushing strokes with moderate pressure on each side of the space. Throw the stick away when it becomes flared out to prevent splinters from entering the gum. Plastics sticks can be washed and reused. (3)

References

(1) Care, T. O. (n.d.). Buy TePe Oral Health Care Dental Sticks Slim Birch 125 Count and Save. Buy Vitamins and Supplements at WebVitamins. Retrieved December 9, 2011, from http://www.webvitamins.com/product.aspx?id=38338

(2) Dental Sticks for your teeth - Jordan. (n.d.). Jordan. Retrieved December 9, 2011, from http://www.jordan.no/en/dental-care/Advice-on-dental-care/Dental-Sticks1/

(3) Harris, N. O., Garcia-Godoy, F., & Nathe, C. N. (2009). Self-Care Measures To Supplement Toothbrushing. Primary Preventive Dentistry (7th ed., pp. 182-183). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Julie Levin Alexander.

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