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{{Short description|Small stick for cleaning teeth}}
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A '''toothpick''' is a small stick of ], ], ], ], ] or other substance used to remove ] from the ], usually after a ]. A toothpick usually has one or two sharp ends to insert between teeth. They can also be used for picking up small appetizers (like cheese cubes or ]s) or as a ]. It is also sometimes used as lleytons maiden or american mistress.
⚫ A '''toothpick''' is a small thin stick of ], ], ], ], ] or other substance with at least one and sometimes two pointed ends to insert between ] to remove ], usually after a ]. Toothpicks are also used for festive occasions to hold or spear small appetizers (like cheese cubes or ]s) or as a ], and can be decorated with plastic frills or small paper umbrellas or ].<ref>"The Marketing Genius Who Brought Us the Toothpick." Slate Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.slate.com/articles/business_and_tech/design/2007/10/stick_figure.single.html>.</ref>

⚫ American wooden toothpicks are cut from ] wood. Logs are first spiral cut into thin sheets, which are then cut, chopped, milled and bleached (to lighten) into the individual toothpicks.<ref>'']: "Toothpicks; acrylic bathtubs; helicopters; beer." ].</ref> ] used to be the leading producer of toothpicks for the ]. The last toothpick plant in Maine closed in 2003.<ref>"Maine's Last Toothpick Rolls Off Line, Plant Closes." As Maine Goes. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.asmainegoes.com/content/maines-last-toothpick-rolls-line-plant-closes>.</ref>


== History == == History ==
Known in all cultures, the toothpick is the oldest instrument for dental cleaning. ] from ], ], dated to about 1.8 million years ago, bear lesions indicating the repeated use of a “toothpick”.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Margvelashvili |first1=A. |last2=Zollikofer |first2=C. P. E. |last3=Lordkipanidze |first3=D. |last4=Peltomaki |first4=T. |last5=Ponce de Leon |first5=M. S. |title=Tooth wear and dentoalveolar remodeling are key factors of morphological variation in the Dmanisi mandibles |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |date=22 October 2013 |volume=110 |issue=43 |pages=17278–17283 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1316052110|pmid=24101504 |pmc=3808665 |bibcode=2013PNAS..11017278M |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hogenboom |first1=Melissa |title='Ancient humans' used toothpicks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24396757 |access-date=29 August 2021 |work=BBC News |date=8 October 2013}}</ref> A Neanderthal man's jawbone found in the ] in Spain evidenced use of a toothpick to alleviate pain in his teeth caused by ] and dental wear.<Ref>{{cite journal |ref={{harvid|Lozano et al.|2013}}|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0076852 |pmid=24146934 |pmc=3797767 |title=Toothpicking and Periodontal Disease in a Neanderthal Specimen from Cova Foradà Site (Valencia, Spain) |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=8 |issue=10 |pages=e76852 |year=2013 |last1=Lozano |first1=Marina |last2=Subirà |first2=Maria Eulàlia |last3=Aparicio |first3=José |last4=Lorenzo |first4=Carlos |last5=Gómez-Merino |first5=Gala |bibcode=2013PLoSO...876852L |doi-access=free }}</ref> Toothpicks made of bronze have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Northern Italy and in the East Alps. In 1986, researchers in ] discovered the 7500-year-old remains of ancient Native Americans and discovered small grooves between many of the molar teeth.<ref name=AP>(AP) (06/22/1986). "Dentistry as practiced 5510 B.C.". ''Toronto Star''.</ref> One of the researchers, Justin Martin of Concordia University Wisconsin, said, "The enamel on teeth is quite tough, so they must have used the probes quite rigorously to make the grooves."<ref name=AP/>


== Materials and manufacture ==
The toothpick is known to predate the arrival of ]. The skulls of ], as well as ], have shown clear signs of having teeth that were picked with a tool.
⚫ There are delicate, artistic examples made of silver in ], as well as from ] with the Romans.
]


⚫ In the 17th century, toothpicks were luxury objects and like jewelry, were artfully stylized using precious metal and set with expensive stones.
It is the oldest instrument for dental cleaning. Toothpicks are well known in all cultures. Before the ] was invented, teeth were cleaned with hard and soft dental woods. Toothpicks made of bronze have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Northern Italy and in the East Alps. It was also well known in ].


In the ], the ] (penis bone) of a ], called a "coon rod",{{efn|Other nicknames are "Alabama toothpick", "Arkansas toothpick", "mountain man toothpick" and "Texas toothpick"}} was sometimes filed to a point for use as a toothpick.<ref>Charlotte Collins Bond. Madison County GAGenWeb archives. 1998. () Retrieved 5 July 2023.</ref>
⚫ There are delicate, artistic examples made of silver in ], as well as from ] with the Romans.


The first toothpick-manufacturing machine was developed in 1869, by Marc Signorello. Another was patented in 1872, by Silas Noble and J. P. Cooley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inventors.about.com/od/dstartinventions/a/dentistry_2.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713172145/http://inventors.about.com/od/dstartinventions/a/dentistry_2.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=History of the Toothbrush and Toothpaste|author=Mary Bellis|work=About.com Money}}</ref>
⚫ In the 17th century toothpicks were luxury objects similar to jewelry items. They were formed from precious metal and set with expensive stones. Frequently they were artistically stylized and enameled.


⚫ Wooden toothpicks are cut from ] wood. Logs are first spiral cut into thin sheets, which are then cut, chopped, milled and bleached (to lighten) into the individual toothpicks.<ref>'']: "Toothpicks; acrylic bathtubs; helicopters; beer." ].</ref> Nowadays other means of ] are preferred such as ], ]es, and ]
The first toothpick-manufacturing machine was developed in 1869, by ].<ref></ref> Another was patented in 1872, by Silas Noble and J. P. Cooley.<ref></ref>


== Dentistry ==
Nowadays other means of dental hygiene are preferred such as ] and ]es.
Dentists generally prefer ] to picks because of possible damages to oral health,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://northbrookdentistoffice.com/does-using-toothpick-dangerous-to-your-teeth/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729035816/https://northbrookdentistoffice.com/does-using-toothpick-dangerous-to-your-teeth/ |archive-date=2020-07-29 |title=Does using toothpick dangerous to your teeth? {{!}} Northbrook Dentist Office}}</ref> specifically to the gum, to tooth enamel (if chewed), to tooth roots (if the gum is pushed low enough). Picks may also damage veneers and crowns, have splinters, or be accidentally swallowed.<ref>{{cite web |title=But It's Just a Little Toothpick, How Threatening Can It Be |url=https://northerndentaldesign.com.au/but-its-just-a-little-toothpick-how-threatening-can-it-be/ |website=Northern Dental Design |language=en-AU |date=10 June 2021}}</ref>


A review of small-scale studies indicates that toothpicks and triangular woodsticks are similar in their ability to remove plaque.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ng |first1=E |last2=Lim |first2=LP |title=An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness. |journal= Dentistry Journal|date=1 June 2019 |volume=7 |issue=2 |page=56 |doi=10.3390/dj7020056 |pmid=31159354|pmc=6630384 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
⚫ Toothpicks are also used for festive ocasions, and are commonly used to spear appetizers. Often, these toothpicks are decorated with plastic frills or small paper ].<ref>"The Marketing Genius Who Brought Us the Toothpick." Slate Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.slate.com/articles/business_and_tech/design/2007/10/stick_figure.single.html>.</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
{{Commons category|toothpicks}}
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


⚫ == External links ==
⚫ ==Further reading==
*{{Commonscat-inline|Toothpicks|lcfirst=yes}}
⚫ *{{wiktionary-inline}}
⚫ * - how toothpicks are manufactured

⚫ ===Further reading===
* {{cite book * {{cite book
| last =Petroski | last =Petroski
| first =Henry | first =Henry
| authorlink =Henry Petroski | author-link =Henry Petroski
| title =The Toothpick: Technology and Culture | title =The Toothpick: Technology and Culture
| publisher =Knopf | publisher =Knopf
| date= 2007-10-16 | date =2007-10-16
| isbn =978-0-307-26636-1 | isbn =978-0-307-26636-1
| url =https://archive.org/details/toothpicktechnol00petr
| url = http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307266361&view=excerpt }}
| url-access =registration

}}
⚫ == External links ==
{{Authority control}}
⚫ {{wiktionary}}
⚫ * - how toothpicks are manufactured


] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 18:58, 13 January 2025

Small stick for cleaning teeth

Wood toothpicks
Oral B toothpicks
Bamboo toothpick
Curved metal toothpick (reusable)

A toothpick is a small thin stick of wood, plastic, bamboo, metal, bone or other substance with at least one and sometimes two pointed ends to insert between teeth to remove detritus, usually after a meal. Toothpicks are also used for festive occasions to hold or spear small appetizers (like cheese cubes or olives) or as a cocktail stick, and can be decorated with plastic frills or small paper umbrellas or flags.

History

Known in all cultures, the toothpick is the oldest instrument for dental cleaning. Hominin remains from Dmanisi, Georgia, dated to about 1.8 million years ago, bear lesions indicating the repeated use of a “toothpick”. A Neanderthal man's jawbone found in the Cova Foradà in Spain evidenced use of a toothpick to alleviate pain in his teeth caused by periodontal disease and dental wear. Toothpicks made of bronze have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Northern Italy and in the East Alps. In 1986, researchers in Florida discovered the 7500-year-old remains of ancient Native Americans and discovered small grooves between many of the molar teeth. One of the researchers, Justin Martin of Concordia University Wisconsin, said, "The enamel on teeth is quite tough, so they must have used the probes quite rigorously to make the grooves."

Materials and manufacture

There are delicate, artistic examples made of silver in antiquity, as well as from mastic wood with the Romans.

Plastic interdental piks designed to prevent gingivitis, and wooden flat toothpicks

In the 17th century, toothpicks were luxury objects and like jewelry, were artfully stylized using precious metal and set with expensive stones.

In the Southern United States, the baculum (penis bone) of a raccoon, called a "coon rod", was sometimes filed to a point for use as a toothpick.

The first toothpick-manufacturing machine was developed in 1869, by Marc Signorello. Another was patented in 1872, by Silas Noble and J. P. Cooley.

Wooden toothpicks are cut from birch wood. Logs are first spiral cut into thin sheets, which are then cut, chopped, milled and bleached (to lighten) into the individual toothpicks. Nowadays other means of interdental cleaning are preferred such as dental floss, toothbrushes, and oral irrigators.

Dentistry

Dentists generally prefer floss to picks because of possible damages to oral health, specifically to the gum, to tooth enamel (if chewed), to tooth roots (if the gum is pushed low enough). Picks may also damage veneers and crowns, have splinters, or be accidentally swallowed.

A review of small-scale studies indicates that toothpicks and triangular woodsticks are similar in their ability to remove plaque.

See also

Notes

  1. Other nicknames are "Alabama toothpick", "Arkansas toothpick", "mountain man toothpick" and "Texas toothpick"

References

  1. "The Marketing Genius Who Brought Us the Toothpick." Slate Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.slate.com/articles/business_and_tech/design/2007/10/stick_figure.single.html>.
  2. Margvelashvili, A.; Zollikofer, C. P. E.; Lordkipanidze, D.; Peltomaki, T.; Ponce de Leon, M. S. (22 October 2013). "Tooth wear and dentoalveolar remodeling are key factors of morphological variation in the Dmanisi mandibles". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110 (43): 17278–17283. Bibcode:2013PNAS..11017278M. doi:10.1073/pnas.1316052110. PMC 3808665. PMID 24101504.
  3. Hogenboom, Melissa (8 October 2013). "'Ancient humans' used toothpicks". BBC News. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  4. Lozano, Marina; Subirà, Maria Eulàlia; Aparicio, José; Lorenzo, Carlos; Gómez-Merino, Gala (2013). "Toothpicking and Periodontal Disease in a Neanderthal Specimen from Cova Foradà Site (Valencia, Spain)". PLOS ONE. 8 (10): e76852. Bibcode:2013PLoSO...876852L. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0076852. PMC 3797767. PMID 24146934.
  5. ^ (AP) (06/22/1986). "Dentistry as practiced 5510 B.C.". Toronto Star.
  6. Charlotte Collins Bond. "Coonrod: Arkansas Tooth-pick." Madison County GAGenWeb archives. 1998. (Reprinted) Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  7. Mary Bellis. "History of the Toothbrush and Toothpaste". About.com Money. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012.
  8. How It's Made: "Toothpicks; acrylic bathtubs; helicopters; beer." The Discovery Channel.
  9. "Does using toothpick dangerous to your teeth? | Northbrook Dentist Office". Archived from the original on 2020-07-29.
  10. "But It's Just a Little Toothpick, How Threatening Can It Be". Northern Dental Design. 10 June 2021.
  11. Ng, E; Lim, LP (1 June 2019). "An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness". Dentistry Journal. 7 (2): 56. doi:10.3390/dj7020056. PMC 6630384. PMID 31159354.

External links

Further reading

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