When there’s a piece of food debris caught between your teeth, you’ll want to get rid of it as quickly as possible before it can lead to more serious oral health issues. However, you need to be careful; removing the debris the wrong way could lead to oral injury. Below are some tips for safely addressing this dental emergency while avoiding unnecessary dental damage.
Do Not Use a Toothpick
Despite its name, a toothpick is actually not the best choice for removing foreign materials from between the teeth. For one thing, the pointed end could easily injure your gums if you’re not careful. On top of that, if a toothpick breaks while you’re using it, some of the fragments could get lodged in your gums, which can be very painful and may even lead to an infection.
Start by Rinsing with Water
Believe it or not, sometimes getting rid of a stuck piece of food is as simple as rinsing your mouth. Pour yourself a glass of water, take a sip, and swish it around the affected area to see if you can flush out the debris.
Use Dental Floss
If rinsing alone doesn’t do the trick, flossing is the next best option. In many cases, you can get rid of the foreign material simply by flossing normally. But for particularly stubborn pieces of food, you may want to thicken your floss slightly by tying a knot in it. Remember to be very gentle while cleaning between your teeth; if you floss too vigorously, you could end up pushing bits of food deeper into your gums.
Try Pushing with Your Tongue
Sometimes pushing with your tongue can be an effective way to get rid of a stuck piece of food. That said, it’s important not to overdo it, as pushing too hard with your tongue can contribute to jaw pain. As such, if using your tongue doesn’t yield results, it’s best to move on and try other methods.
Call Your Dentist
If you simply can’t remove the food debris on your own, you should call your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Once they’ve had a chance to examine your mouth, they can devise a strategy for getting rid of the debris without damaging your smile.
Having food stuck between your teeth can be irritating, but you shouldn’t be hasty in trying to remove it. By following the steps above, you can resolve the problem while keeping your teeth and gums safe.
About the Author
Dr. Ajneesh “AJ” Chhabra is a graduate of the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. As a dentist in San Antonio, he strives to bring his patients high-quality care in a practice environment where they can feel safe and comfortable. When a dental emergency strikes, he will make arrangements to see you as soon as possible to help you find lasting relief. If there’s a piece of food stuck in your smile that you can’t get rid of, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. AJ at Potranco Family Dental by visiting his website or calling (210) 686-1082.