While teeth do a great job of chewing food into a more easily digestible state, they often get little bits of food and other debris stuck between them. This happens to everyone and can usually be handled by flushing your mouth out a few times or by having a thorough oral hygiene session. Here’s a brief guide on how to remove objects that are stuck between your teeth and how to tell if you need to see a dentist.
Crisp and Snappy Fruits and Veggies
Fibrous, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery are firm enough to scrape plaque and food debris away from the teeth and yielding enough to be harmless to the enamel. Enjoying these items after meals can help keep your teeth clean and prevent tooth decay. Snacking on these treats can often be sufficient to dislodge a troublesome object from between your teeth.
Don’t Be at a Loss: Grab Some Dental Floss
Getting food debris and other nuisances stuck between your teeth is such a common problem that dentists devised an excellent at-home solution to it long ago. Dental floss is an amazing product that can remove food debris, plaque, and the like from between the teeth and is a crucial part of a proper daily oral hygiene routine. If you have a troublesome something or other stuck between your teeth, flossing can be an excellent, easy, and cheap way to address the problem.
To floss, cut off a few feet from the pack. Hold a section of the thread taut between the fingers of either hand and slide it between a pair of teeth. Work it across either side, slide it out, move to a clean section of floss, and treat the next space between the teeth. Continue this until all teeth have been treated.
When Should I See a Dentist About an Object Stuck Between My Teeth?
Sometimes, dental attention is necessary to remove an object from between a patient’s teeth. If you have any of the following problems, you may need to call a dentist:
- You experience pain: If trying to remove an object from between your teeth causes too much pain, you should probably leave it to a dental professional.
- The object is lodged beneath the gumline: If the object has wedged itself deep between the tooth and gum tissue, trying to pull it out can cause injuries to the surrounding tissue.
- If you have preexisting gum issues: If your gums are already ill or compromised, removing a foreign object can be a risky business. See your dental care provider in these cases.
Having an object stuck between your teeth can be an uncomfortable situation. Knowing what to do when it happens can keep you comfortable and prevent injuries.
About the Practice
Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry of the Keys delivers outstanding dental health services to the good people of Big Pine Key, FL. Led by Drs. Amanda Cobb and Dan Mazor, the staff provides stellar service and effective treatments to each customer. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For help removing an object between your teeth, dial (305) 680-1553 or contact the office online.