From 1979 to 1982, an estimated 8,176 toothpick-related injuries occurred yearly (3.6 per 100,000 population per year). The rate of injury was greatest among children 5 to 14 years old, but children younger than 5 years had a rate of injury to the eyeball and ear more than 20 times greater than that of other persons. Since young children appear to be at greatest risk, toothpicks should be kept out of their reach.