Have you ever been munching on a handful of popcorn only to realize a thin kernel just slid right between your teeth? Not only can this be incredibly frustrating and uncomfortable, but many people have also accidentally hurt their teeth and gums trying to remove stuck objects.
If you have something caught in your grin, continue reading to learn 4 ways you can try to safely dislodge and avoid a potential emergency!
Tip #1: Rinse Your Mouth
It makes sense to try the simplest solution first, so if you haven’t already tried rinsing your mouth out to remove whatever is trapped there, you should! Swishing water around can naturally loosen the stuck food or other object.
If you’re feeling at all uncomfortable or notice any swelling, you can mix about ½ teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water to naturally disinfect your teeth and gums and reduce any associated throbbing.
Tip #2: Try Pushing With Your Tongue
You’re not alone if your first instinct is to poke at your teeth or gums with your fingernail to try to loosen things jammed there. However, you might introduce additional bacteria to your mouth that can cause disease or decay, or you could injure your enamel or connective tissues if you’re not careful.
If you want to try to push the stuck item out, why not use your tongue? Plenty of people have tried this method successfully, but be careful not to overdo it. If you overwork this dexterous muscle, it can trigger painful inflammation in your TMJ (temporomandibular joints) that anchor your jawbone to your skull.
Tip #3: Floss Carefully
You can also try using standard string floss or an oral irrigator to carefully remove trapped debris from between your teeth and below your connective tissues. However, you run the risk of pushing it deeper if you aren’t careful, so do your best not to use too much force. A lighter touch can effectively extract whatever has become stuck without causing further irritation.
Tip #4: Contact Your Dentist
If you’ve tried all of these methods and nothing has worked, it’s time to contact your dentist! You might not think of something stuck in your smile as an emergency, but it’s better to be seen sooner rather than later. Whatever is lodged in your grin could attract germs that contribute to oral issues or cause an injury if you wait too long to be seen.
Your dental team has the experience and advanced equipment required to safely remove anything that’s been trapped in your teeth without hurting them!
About the Author
Dr. Caroline Irons earned her dental doctorate at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Since finishing school, she has been very active in Spear and TeamACT Education Study Clubs, focusing on implant placement and restoration. Dr. Irons is also certified to provide Invisalign and is proud to be a member of Women in Dentistry. If you and your family are looking for preventive dental care, we can help! Schedule your appointment online or call (208) 322-5655.