It’s a rather common occurrence for a small piece of food to accidentally get stuck between two teeth. Meat fibers, popcorn hulls, fruit peels and even small hard seeds are common culprits. Unfortunately, there are times when a food particle can get stubbornly stuck and causes discomfort.
The first step is to try to vigorously rinse the area with lukewarm saltwater. This might help to dislodge the object stuck between your teeth, or at least remove any other food particles to give you a clear view.
If it is still stuck you shouldn’t attempt to use toothpicks or sharp, pointed tools to pry the object loose. This could injure your gums or even damage your teeth.
Waxed dental floss is the ideal tool for clearing the object from between your teeth. The waxy coating allows the strand to slide easier between teeth to worked around the foreign object. You should never force the floss into place, as it could seriously injure your gums.
A floss threader with wax coated floss can also be handy for working at the object from a different position. Sometimes a dental fountain or oral water jet can loosen debris.
If you still can’t easily remove the object you can call Dr. Darren Haws at 520-364-3361 for advice or to schedule an appointment for fast resolution.