As you prepare for bed, you suddenly realize there is an object stuck between your teeth. Thinking back to what could have caused this type of problem, you struggle to find a way to remove it. While you contemplate not bothering with it until morning, you worry it will cause discomfort while you sleep. What do you do? Trying to dislodge something that is stuck in your mouth isn’t always as easy as grabbing dental floss and working it out. If you find yourself in this type of situation, here are 4 ways you can remove an object without damaging your teeth.
Try Eating Hard, Crunchy Foods
This might seem like an odd concept, but the reality is that these crunchy foods can be great for removing food particles from in-between your teeth. Raw vegetables are one of the best options to help accomplish this task. Because they act like a toothbrush, they will not only encourage saliva production that can flush out bacteria and harmful particles, but they can help to dislodge anything that might try to burrow into your gum line.
Use a Water Flosser
Using traditional, waxed dental floss to remove a lodged object can feel impossible. Not only can it be difficult to get between teeth that are close together, but if you do not floss correctly, you could actually push the object further down into the gum line and damage your soft oral tissues. A water flosser is a great alternative because it pushes the water out rapidly, which can be a more comfortable and easy-to-use solution when faced with an object stuck between teeth.
Let Your Tongue Push It Out
Your tongue can be quite effective at removing a lodged food item from your teeth. By applying gentle pressure to the area, it can carefully work the item out and provide the relief you need. However, if you suffer from TMJ or other serious oral health problems that cause chronic jaw pain, you will not want to do this for long, as it can cause additional discomfort. Before using your tongue, try swishing warm water around in your mouth. The motion will help to bring forth the object, making it easier for your tongue to remove it from its location.
Avoid Using Metal of Any Kind
While you’ve likely seen your uncle, cousin, or even your grandfather use a fork to remove a piece of food from their teeth, this is strongly discouraged. Why? Because metal is not meant to be used in the mouth. Not only can it damage your teeth, but it can also scrape, cut, or tear your soft oral tissues, resulting in a visit to your emergency dental office. To remove something stuck between your teeth, it’s best to use floss, a toothpick, a water irrigator, or even a piece of paper to gently remove it. Not only will you have more control using any of these other items, but you’ll minimize your risk of seriously damaging your smile.
Keeping these tips in mind the next time you are faced with a lodged object in your teeth will help you achieve relief sooner than you think. But if you simply cannot remove it no matter how hard you try, don’t hesitate to contact your local dentist for help.
About the Practice
Sedalia Dental is led by four expert dentists
who are committed to caring for patients living in Groveport and its
surrounding communities. Combining their knowledge, skills, and talents, they
are able to offer comprehensive services to treat smiles of all types. Providing
preventive care that is designed to catch problems before they start, you can
count on the team to offer helpful tips while making sure your teeth and gums
are free of decay and disease. If you are struggling to remove an object stuck
between your teeth, contact us
at (614) 836-2222. We offer same-day appointments for emergency patients
in need.