It’s totally normal to sometimes have food being trapped between your teeth. This could be a piece of popcorn, a string of meat or even a sesame seed. However, if you find yourself having Food Getting Stuck Between Your Teeth regularly, or even in the same place, this could be your body telling you something.
In short, it’s not a problem if it occurs occasionally, but if it occurs regularly in the same place, there might be a gap, a worn-out filling, receding gums or early decay. In this guide, we will look at what causes this issue, how to deal with it, and when to make a trip to a dentist in Baldivis.
Why Does Food Keep Getting Stuck Between My Teeth?
There is room for the food to get stuck, and that’s what happens when food is trapped. These are the typical reasons.
Natural gaps and tooth position
There are cases when people have gaps between their teeth or some overlap causing tight pockets. In this case, food trapping between the teeth is a mechanical problem and not the disease. However, it increases chances of having plaque in this area if it was not cleaned properly.
Worn or damaged fillings
As fillings become older, they might chip, wear off, or pull away from the tooth creating a small ledge where the food becomes trapped. In case of post-treatment food trapping, it is one of the first suspects to examine.
Gum recession and gum disease
When gums recede, a triangle-shaped gap between the teeth is widened. Periodontal disease can cause the same situation. You should pay attention to the presence of blood while flossing, swollen and sensitive gums, and constant bad smell.
Cavities between teeth
Often cavities start to appear on hard-to-reach areas. The hollow in a tooth becomes a trap for food which, in turn, promotes growth of bacteria that causes the decay. It is an endless circle that cannot be fixed itself. Food sticking between your teeth in one place, but not everywhere, may be the first sign.
Can Food Being Stuck Between Your Teeth Be a Dental Issue?
Sometimes. It is not considered a problem when it occurs once, but when it is constantly occurring, then it might be. You need to see your dentist if you have any of the following:
- Food gets caught in the same place repeatedly
- The use of floss results in the tearing of the floss in that specific area
- Swelling of the gums or bleeding of the gums in that specific location
- Bad odor from the mouth after brushing
- Sensitive to hot, cold or sweet foods
- Rough or chipped tooth
However, swelling, persistent bleeding or severe pain needs immediate attention.
How Do I Remove Food Stuck Between My Teeth Safely?
Floss or use an interdental brush gently. Here’s what you could do:
- Rinse your mouth forcefully with warm water to dislodge debris.
- Place a piece of floss between the teeth using a gentle, back-and-forth movement. Avoid snapping the floss down into the gums.
- Bend the floss in a C shape and move it up and down along one side of the tooth. Do the same for the other tooth.
- In case flossing doesn’t help, try an interdental brush or water flosser that fits the space between your teeth.
- Rinse and inspect the area.
What should you not do?
Even if trapped food seems to be a priority, don’t use pins, fingernails, knife blades, or in most cases, toothpicks. These could damage the gum, trap the food further and scratch your teeth. If the object won’t budge after a couple of attempts, give up and contact your dentist. Forcing it might create a serious issue.
What Happens at the Dentist When Food Keeps Getting Trapped?
The dentist tries to find out the cause of the problem. It is widely believed that food getting stuck between your teeth is a simple matter of habit or diet, but the examination usually reveals the cause that is both identifiable and treatable. The process of a general dental check-up at Baldivis Dental Clinic begins with a discussion of your dental history. Then, your teeth, gums, and supporting structures are checked and, if necessary, digital imaging or X-rays are taken. Professional teeth cleaning gets rid of plaque and tartar that can’t be removed with brushing and flossing, and your dentist provides you with an individualized treatment plan.
Your treatment can include:
- Fixing or replacing a worn filling
- Treatment of decay or early signs of gum disease
- Root canal therapy if the infection has reached the tooth’s nerve
- Extraction if the tooth can’t be saved
If you are in pain or have any swelling, the emergency dentistry service at Baldivis Dental Clinic will help you.
Does Food Get Stuck in Children’s Teeth Too?
Yes, and it’s quite common. The back teeth have grooves, and overcrowding as the adult teeth emerge presents new opportunities for food to get stuck. It is easy not to notice food trapped between your teeth or your child’s teeth until a cavity appears, hence the importance of regular children’s dentistry check-ups. Bulk billing is available for eligible children.
How Can I Avoid Food Getting Stuck Between Your Teeth?
Good hygiene practices on a daily basis, along with regular check-ups, do the job.
- Flossing or interdental brushing once a day
- Brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste
- Cutting meat and vegetable fibers into small pieces
- Checking up and cleaning every six months
- Reporting any new spot where food gets trapped, especially after dental treatment
Conclusion
Not all cases where food becomes stuck between your teeth are a sign of problems. However, repeated occurrence of this problem at one specific place or together with bleeding, halitosis, sensitivity or toothache is valuable information to consider and not a nuisance to dismiss.
In case this description matches your case, please book your appointment online, contact us at Baldivis Dental Clinic through 08 9528 5555, or discover the services we offer in order to see what solutions we can offer you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is daily presence of food trapped between my teeth a normal thing?
No, this symptom is usually not. Repeated daily presence of food between your teeth suggests that some problem exists there – be it tooth gap, worn out filling, recession of gingival tissues or a cavity. You should visit a dental clinic, especially if you experience other symptoms such as gingival bleeding, bad breath or sensitivity.
Does food stuck between my teeth create cavities?
Yes, trapped food creates ideal conditions for plaque bacteria to create acidic products which destroy enamel. Prolonged stay in your mouth (for several weeks or months) leads to caries development and inflammation of periodontal tissue.
Is it alright to use a toothpick when trying to remove food from the gaps between the teeth?
At times yes; however, floss or an interdental brush is more appropriate. Using a toothpick may damage your gum, force the food into the gap deeper, and even injure the enamel. Should you fail to remove it, you may want to consult your dentist instead of forcing yourself.
What makes foods get stuck between my teeth after getting a filling?
There may be some ledge left by your filling procedure or the filling contact is way too loose. Both cases will trap the food in your tooth gaps. In case you experience this condition, report it to your dentist as he might adjust it for you or change the filling entirely.
When should I see a dentist for food stuck between teeth?
See a dentist if it happens repeatedly in one area, floss shreds, or the gum bleeds or feels sore. Seek urgent care for swelling, a bad taste with pain, or severe discomfort, as these may indicate infection or injury that needs prompt attention.