A dental expert weighs in on why you should never use a toothpick to clean your teeth A dental expert weighs in on why you should never use a toothpick to clean your teeth Ashley Laderer,Michael B. FergusonFeb 17, 2021, 22:16 IST Toothpicks may infect your gums.Vyacheslav Dumchev/Getty Images Hard wooden toothpicks are not ideal for cleaning teeth because they can cause gum damage that could lead to infection. Rough and frequent Toothpicks can also break, splinter, and get lodged in your gums. While toothpicks are handy and convenient, they may not be the most logical or safe choice when trying to get food out of your teeth.