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We all know that feeling after eating our favorite snack, meal or after a family dinner: the food that gets stuck in your teeth after. Some of it is easy to pull out but the rest is stuck so deep and tight that it becomes a real hassle to remove it. We show you why this is happening, ways to prevent that & ways to remove it safely without hurting your gums or teeth.
Food Stuck in Teeth
There are a few reasons why food can get stuck in your teeth. One common cause is when the food gets caught between your teeth and the gum line. This can cause pressure and discomfort, as well as tooth decay. If the food is lodged in one of your molars, it can be difficult to remove without professional help. Other causes of food getting stuck in teeth include drinking too much fluid right before dinner, chewing on hard objects (like ice chips), or brushing too vigorously. In each of these cases, it’s important to see a dentist for an examination and treatment plan specific to your situation.
How To Prevent Food From Getting Stuck in Your Teeth
If you’re like most people, you probably brush your teeth twice a day – and that’s ! But if food gets stuck in your teeth, it can be really frustrating. Here are five tips to help prevent food from getting stuck in your teeth:
- Brush and floss regularly: Brushing and flossing at least twice a day can help remove food particles and plaque that can cause teeth to become sticky and trap food.
- Use an interdental cleaner: Interdental cleaners like floss picks, interdental brushes, or water flossers can help clean hard-to-reach areas between teeth and remove food particles.
- Drink water while eating: Drinking water while eating can help wash away food particles and reduce the buildup of plaque.
- Avoid sticky or chewy foods: Foods like caramel, toffee, and chewing gum can stick to your teeth and be difficult to remove. Try to avoid these types of foods, or if you do eat them, make sure to brush or floss your teeth afterward.
- Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing sugar-free gum after a meal can help stimulate saliva production, which can help wash away food particles and neutralize the acids that can cause tooth decay.
- Visit your dentist regularly: Regular dental checkups and cleanings can help identify and address any dental problems that may contribute to food getting stuck in your teeth. Your dentist can also provide recommendations for improving your oral hygiene routine.
Five Reasons Why Food Gets Stuck in Your Teeth
- Food with small particles: Foods like popcorn, nuts, and seeds can easily get lodged between your teeth because of their small size and shape.
- Sticky or chewy foods: Foods like caramel, toffee, and chewing gum can stick to your teeth and remain there until you brush or floss them out.
- Irregularly shaped teeth: Teeth that are unevenly spaced or have cracks or crevices are likely to trap food particles and create areas that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush.
- Poor oral hygiene: If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, food particles and plaque can build up and cause a sticky film to form on your teeth. This can make it easier for food to get stuck in your teeth.
- Dental work or orthodontics: Braces, retainers, and other dental appliances can create new spaces where food can get caught, and dental work like fillings or crowns can sometimes create rough surfaces that can trap food.
Food Won’t Come Out – What Next?
If your food is still stuck after you’ve tried everything listed above it is time to call your dentist, it might not be a huge problem yet – besides that it feels annoying – but it can cause and tooth pain rather quickly if not removed. It also causes bad breath over time and with each meal you have it will be pushed deeper.
Conclusion
Ah, the worst feeling in the world – when your food gets stuck and you just can’t get it out! We know it’s a total pain, but don’t worry – we have some tips to help you avoid this unfortunate situation. If all else fails, well, sometimes you just have to accept that it’s out of your hands!