Something that all of us have experienced at one point or another is food stuck between our teeth—it’s just one of those things in life that, while mostly avoidable, can still occur and cause temporary discomfort/concern. But it’s never something you should ignore, nor is it something you should worry about! Continue reading to learn about a few useful tips that you can use to safely remove stuck food particles or debris from between your teeth, and why if you still need help, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your emergency dentist.
1. Rinse Your Mouth
In many cases, the simplest solution is the most effective one. Rinsing your mouth is often enough to dislodge food particles from your teeth. You can swish water around your mouth, or any other beverage that’s handy. If you’ve been dealing with discomfort alongside the stuck object, you can use a warm saltwater rinse to help alleviate your symptoms.
2. Brush Your Teeth
You should be brushing your teeth twice a day anyway—this habit helps to prevent food debris from becoming stuck in the first place! However, if rinsing your mouth isn’t working, you can opt for a quick brushing session to maneuver the food or debris out of your teeth. As you brush, be sure to use gentle, circular motions rather than sawing back and forth.
3. Floss Normally
Dental floss is specifically designed for gently removing debris from between the teeth, and it’s very useful for those hard-to-reach spots that your toothbrush cannot fully clean. You can also tie a small knot in the floss to add extra thickness, which may be necessary to dislodge whatever is stuck. Floss is also very convenient and accessible; you can keep a dispenser in your car, your purse, or even in a desk drawer at work—plus, if you have it at arm’s reach, you’re also more likely to use it daily. Note that dental floss is far safer than using a toothpick, which can break and splinter, causing potential harm.
4. Visit Your Dentist
If all else fails and you still cannot remove the stuck debris, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Not only is it dangerous to have something stuck between your teeth for too long, but your dentist is the absolute best person available for helping you out. It might take their technical prowess to remove the object with floss, or they might have to use a special instrument to gently free it. Rest assured, though, they’ll be able to handle things quickly and painlessly.
Food should not continually get stuck in your teeth—if it does, it may be a sign that there’s an issue present, such as misalignment or crowding. That said, in those instances when it does happen, it’s usually easy to handle yourself if you take the right careful steps!
About the Practice
Our team here at West Brookfield Dental has served the needs of patients and families in West Brookfield and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide variety of services as well as same-day emergency dentistry for those with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog, or you need to get in touch with our practice to set up a visit, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 867-2777.
