A Toothpick from the Renaissance period in ITALY (circa 1500 A.D.) was worn on a chain around a nobleman's neck. Pictured above is Sammlung Marcuardi of Florence, Italy by Hans Von Schonitz.
Various toothpicks in the past 3000 years: Excavations in Peru brought to light a toothpick in the form of a bird's beak of the period 1450 to 1500 A.D. The handle could be used as an ear pick. This is in a museum in Cologne, Germany. Perhaps the oldest toothpick known to us- which was carried in an ornamental case attached to the belt- was found in the Royal Sepulchre of Ur, Mesopotamia (circa 1300 B.C.)The original is in Bagdad; a galvono- plastic copy is in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
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I still remember my eldest dentist uncle, the second generation dentist in the family, (I'm the last and the only third generation dentist) who always carries in his pocket a gold toothpick custom made for him by his laboratory technicians. Thus, up until around 60 years ago, some toothpicks had not changed since the 15th century.
Today, wooden, plastic and water toothpicks are used to remove the gross debris of masticated food from around and between the teeth. Dental floss though is most recommended and is considered to be more efficient by dentists.
Toothpicks and dental floss can remove the gross food debris from around the teeth and gums. More important, however, than the removal of these food remnants is to aid the prevention of dental plaque and gingivitis by helping to reduce the more minute material that may gather around and adhere to the teeth as Materia Alba. A good routine program of oral hygiene that includes periodic visits to the dentist, regular brushing and using an oral irrigator (like Water Pik) everyday is necessary to successfully control plaque formation and gingivitis- providing a unique combination of advantages.
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