Fascination with Toothpicks

I have no idea why, but I love toothpicks.

I always have one on hand, keep several in my purse and even keep one handy in my wallet.

Whenever I leave a restaurant I search the host stand in search of that little dispenser of wooden bliss and grab several, not knowing when the next time I'll go out to eat again.

I find them at the bottom of all my purses. I find them in the back of jean pockets. There are usually a few in the drink holder in my car. A few can always be found in a cup I keep at my office that has straws, salt and pepper packets, and napkins. My bathroom cabinet has a stack right now along with a few hanging out on the dresser drawers in my room.

Why?

I recently went to Little Rock, Arkansas to visit my mom for a brief stay. When leaving a Mexican restaurant with my mom and step-dad, they both reached for the container at the front entry while leaving as well. The three of us walked out, belly's full of chips, salsa, and beer and our mouths chomping on toothpicks. Is this something I will pass on to my children someday?

Sitting at my desk the other day at work I realized that I had a toothpick in my mouth for roughly two hours after lunch. Two hours?!

Is it an oral fixation or a fixation to keep my teeth free from build-up? I must admit that I don't like to floss. I do, but using a toothpick just has a more relaxed feel to oral hygiene. And using at least one toothpick a day, doesn't that make up for the less than eager approach to flossing?

So if you're ever in a restaurant and you see a blonde, 5' 2" girl with glasses on reach for a toothpick on her way out the door, come say hi. It's definitely me.

Facts about toothpicks:
Maine is the leading manufacturer for toothpicks in the US.
Brazil is the leading overall manufacturer of toothpicks for the world.
Toothpicks are the oldest form of dental cleaning.
Toothpicks made of bronze have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Northern Italy and in the East Alps.
In the 17th century toothpicks were luxury objects similar to jewellery items.
The first toothpick-manufacturing machine was developed in 1869, by Charles Forster.