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" The British public are using a range of unsuitable items to remove food from their teeth including screwdrivers and knives, a new survey has found.  The survey, conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation, found that more than 60 per cent of people use knives, earrings, scissors, paper clips, keys or even screwdrivers to floss their teeth, putting their dental health at risk.  A further 23 per cent of those questioned admitted that they left food lodged in their teeth after eating, increasing their chances of developing gum disease.  Commenting on the surprising findings, Dr Nigel Carter of British Dental Health Foundation said that it was clear that the public needed to be educated on the importance of correct flossing, in order to prevent dental damage.  &amp;quot;A screwdriver is hardly the most flexible of items and I don&amp;#039;t think people realise the damage this could do to their gums,&amp;quot; he said.  &amp;quot;Flossing is a vital part of a good oral health routine, removing food particles from between the teeth and plaque from against gum line.&amp;quot; Dr Carter added: &amp;quot;The best thing to dislodge food from between the teeth with is interdental wood sticks, as these are shaped specifically for this purpose &#150; cocktail sticks are not and should be avoided.&amp;quot;  Plaque left on the teeth contains toxin producing bacteria that can irritate the gums and cause gum disease, making regular flossing an essential part of dental healthcare.  \u00A9 Adfero Ltd "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/dental/news/a13705/screwdrivers-used-for-flossing/>