It’s pretty normal to have food debris caught in your smile, all things considered. These so-called “leftovers” can get themselves wedged during any meal – breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. With that said, do you know how to handle something stuck between your teeth? Your trusty Lewisville dentist can help you out a bit if you don’t. To that end, just keep reading to learn four great methods for dislodging debris from your grin.
Press with Your Tongue
One way to dislodge the object is to press it with your tongue. After all, this part of your mouth is useful for removing such things.
If you do take this route, make sure you don’t overexert your tongue. Doing so will cause your jaw to ache, which could lead to temporary chewing and speech issues. Getting rid of the stuck object isn’t worth dealing with those problems; try to take things nice and slow.
Do an Oral Rinse
There’s always a chance your tongue won’t help much. In that case, try doing an oral rinse to remove the stuck object.
Rinsing your mouth is a very effective way of dislodging food between teeth. To do so, simply grab a glass of water (or a similar drink) and swish it around a bit. You’ll likely be free of your debris once you spit the liquid out, ready to move on with your day.
Floss Near the Object Gently
If you have any handy, you could use dental floss near the object. That should remove the irritant well enough.
Remember to act gently should you try flossing. If you just jam the string in carelessly, you may wedge the debris deeper and inflame your gums. The better approach is to string the floss slowly and move it up and down with caution. Should you lack traditional floss (or just don’t like it), some good alternatives include a floss pick, a water flosser, etc.
Eat Something Crunchy
Oddly enough, more food can sometimes help with “leftovers” in your teeth. Eating something crunchy will often dislodge unwanted smile debris.
It so happens that crunchy veggies act like a natural, edible toothbrush. Chewing and biting them gives your teeth a workout that can dislodge stuck food. With that being the case, consider eating some carrot sticks or crisp celery to address your issue.
Is there still something stuck between your teeth? In that case, don’t panic – see your local dentist and have them handle things for you!
About the Practice
Sehnert Precision Dentistry is based in Lewisville, TX. Led by Dr. Phillip Sehnert, our practice has been giving patients excellent smiles for over 40 years! We continue that legacy by offering top-tier preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental care. Whatever problems your grin has, you can trust our team to solve them. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (972)-634-7779.