Is it safe to use those metal dental picks on your own teeth?

Question

I bought some dental picks for my dogs and found myself not using them on the dogs but on my own teeth. My friend told me Im not scraping plaque off my teeth, I'm scraping enamel. Is this true? They look better now that I have scraped them, I don't see how this is harming my teeth.

Answer 1

SHANNON,
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SCRAPE OFF ENAMEL WITH HAND INSTRUMENTS. IT TAKES A DIAMOND OR CARBIDE DRILL TO DO THIS.
YOUR FRIEND, IF HE/SHE WERE A DENTIST WOULD KNOW THIS. THE ONLY THING YOU MAY SCRAPE IS PLAQUE AND/OR TARTAR AKA, CALCULUS.
ENAMEL IS AS HARD AS GLASS.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it safe to use those metal dental picks on your own teeth?
I bought some dental picks for my dogs and found myself not using them on the dogs but on my own teeth. My friend told me Im not scraping plaque off my teeth, I'm scraping enamel. Is this true? They look better now that I have scraped them, I don't see how this is harming my teeth.

Answer 3

Apparently, holding the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle will help avoid scrubbing off enamel Dentists are trained in handling equipment like that, don't use it yourself, you'll most likely end up damaging your teeth without the knowledge to handle the equipment

Answer 4

You ARE scraping the enamel off. Your friend is right. Ya know how dental hygeinists do a cleaning on us, with the sharp dental scalers, then follow up with *POLISHING*?? well, the polishing smooths out the enamel surface after the scaler has scratch it up. once it's polished, it is fine.

So I would stop.

Answer 5

As long as you know what ur doing, it should be fine to use them. Just dont scrape hard into ur teeth.

Answer 6

Go for it just be gentle.