It’s a small habit that often goes unnoticed—someone casually chewing on a toothpick, lost in thought, like a character from an old-school movie. But have you ever stopped to wonder why people do it? I’ve always thought people do it to look tough or cool.
Whatever the reason, this tiny stick has a surprisingly big role in human behavior—one that goes way beyond just good dental hygiene.
The Bite My Wood publication claims that chewing on toothpicks can improve dental hygiene, provide oral fixation, and offer stress relief. It is noted that this behavior can be seen as a socially accepted way of indicating relaxation or contentment after a meal.
“Some people use toothpicks as a substitute for cigarettes when trying to quit smoking. Chewing on a toothpick can help satisfy the oral fixation associated with smoking,” the publication explains.
According to The Daily View, in the 1950s and 1960s, toothpicks were prevalent in films to project sophistication or coolness. They were used as a natural replacement for cigarettes, and this connection between toothpick chewing and heroism continues to this day.
The publication further mentions, “As it became well-known that cigarettes weren’t good for you, a lot of people turned to chewing or sucking on toothpicks to help their cravings. Whenever you saw someone with a toothpick in their mouth, there was a chance that they were a recovering addict.”
Today, many individuals choose to chew toothpicks to project a rough or rebellious image, further reinforcing the notion of a bad-boy attitude associated with this habit. Ran out of toothpaste? Here are simple hacks for your oral hygiene.
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