If you’ve ever experienced food getting stuck in your teeth, you know how frustrating and gross it can be, especially if the food doesn’t come out right away! In some cases, though, your body can actually keep food stuck in your teeth permanently and cause health problems down the road. Here are three examples of what can happen when food gets stuck in your teeth and how to avoid it!
The Good News
Food is easily dissolved by saliva, and even if it’s trapped between two teeth, it should eventually be able to make its way out (especially since you’re constantly producing spit). The bad news: Food that gets lodged between your teeth is more likely to cause problems than food that’s simply resting on top of them. For example, a piece of food that’s wedged under a molar might cause an abcess. When you see food or debris wedged between two teeth, you might be tempted to use tweezers or something else sharp to get it out.
Identifying the Pain
One of my biggest pet peeves is when people have food stuck between their teeth. The worst part about it is that they don’t even know it. They stand there with a perfect smile, but then you see them smiling at someone else or start to laugh, and you can see their front tooth from ear to ear. You try to do a good deed by pointing out their food-stuck-in-the-gums issue, but instead, you feel like a jerk for saying something so rude. It’s hard to talk about because no one likes to feel awkward around others. Not only is that embarrassing, but it can lead to other pain as well—literally!
Why does it hurt so much?
When food is trapped between teeth, it can put a lot of pressure on sensitive gums and tissues. In response, immune cells travel to that area, causing swelling. This often leads to discomfort and pain that lasts for several hours. If you notice food consistently becoming stuck in your teeth, have them checked by a dentist. It may be caused by dental disease like cavities or gum disease, which could lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. Avoiding these issues will help keep you comfortable and healthy!
It’s going to get worse
When food gets stuck in between your gums and teeth, it’s not simply a matter of removing it. In fact, often times food that stays trapped like that will continue to rot or decay—and those decaying particles can travel into sensitive areas of gum tissue. If you start to notice redness, inflammation or bleeding gums, see a dentist immediately for removal. Or if you’re just looking for more information about how to prevent gum problems in general, read on! There are some simple steps you can take right now to help maintain healthy gums
Rinsing, Rinse, RINSE!!!
As soon as you’ve brushed your teeth, do not rush to eat or drink anything, because you could easily dislodge food particles that may have been left behind. You don’t want bacteria from food sitting on your toothbrush, either. They are called reducers of plaque and oral bacterias because they cause plaque to go downs. Reducing plaque means less tartar for you to worry about later on. Food stuck in gums is another problem all together.
When there is food inside of our mouths, it leads to an acidic environment where bacteria and microorganisms flourish, which can contribute to periodontal disease and cavities by infecting tooth surfaces and damaging dental structures, such as enamel and dentin layers.
The biggest mistake you could make
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Food getting stuck in between your teeth and gums doesn’t just look bad, it can cause long-term damage. In fact, according to dentists, it can damage your biological width and that’s a really serious problem. If food remains lodged there for too long, it could cause problems with gum tissue and even bone structure. This is why it’s so important to brush properly at least twice a day and floss daily! Make sure you visit your dentist for regular cleanings as well; keeping up good dental hygiene will ensure that you avoid tooth decay and more serious conditions like gingivitis.
Relax, It Will Heal on Its Own
Because of our biological width, food is more likely to get stuck on one side of our mouth than another. The strength of each person’s bite is dictated by their jaw size, which means that an uneven bite may lead to tooth decay or gum disease over time.
Food particles left behind after eating are also susceptible to plaque, a sticky film composed mostly of bacteria found on teeth and gums that can cause cavities. If you notice food getting trapped in one side or corner of your mouth more often than another, schedule an appointment with your dentist so he or she can check for any abnormalities that could potentially interfere with how you chew and eat. You may be surprised at what goes on below those braces!
