'Traumatizing' simulation shows why you should never use a toothpick to clean your teeth

It's time to say no the next time you get offered a toothpick at the end of your meal.

Imagine being at a restaurant, leaning back into your seat and relishing in your dozy fullness when - to your delight - a little pack of toothpicks lay on the table in front of you for you to haphazardly prod at your gums. Well, if those glorious days of eating out aren't behind you because of the cost of living crisis, you should apparently avoid the 'trusty' toothpick at all costs.

Just because Ryan Gosling's character in Drive swans around chewing on a toothpick, it doesn't mean you should too. Let's face it, you're not going to look as cool and apparently it could also be pretty bad for your teeth too.

YouTuber Zack D Films took to his page to share a video simulation emphasizing why you 'shouldn't use' toothpicks.

The video explains: "Most people use toothpicks to poke out food stuck between their teeth. But should you actually use these?

"Well, toothpicks can actually damage your gums causing them to bleed and become inflamed. They can also splinter, leaving small pieces of wood lodged in your gums.

"And even if they didn't cause damage, toothpicks don't actually clean well between your teeth and usually just push debris further in."

And well, let's just say, the simulation part of it is very convincing, with people flocking to the post in horror.

One YouTube user wrote: "That animation is the most aggressive use of a toothpick I've ever seen."

"That blood coming out the gum had its own heartbeat," another added.

A third commented: "New fear unlocked: getting splinters by toothpick."

"Zack will never Stop traumatizing us," a fourth wrote.

However, a fifth said: "If you don't suck at using toothpicks they're fine."

The YouTube video's warning is valid as concerns surrounding using a toothpick are backed up by The Dental District.

On its website, the Dental District explains using toothpicks is 'not recommended even though it is an ancient practice'.

First of all, because toothpicks are typically wooden and 'not properly sterilized', which means bacteria and an increased risk of infection in your mouth.

Echoing the YouTube video, it adds toothpicks are sharp which can indeed make your gums 'bleed', alongside causing 'pain, inflammation' and, you guessed it, infection - as well as pushing 'debris back further' and a 'risk of splintering'.

It adds using them everyday can also lead to receding gums, so it's best to avoid them and just rinse your teeth with water, brush them or use dental floss instead.