A toothache can be debilitating and frightening if you don’t know how to treat it. Luckily, the majority of these problems stem from stuck food particles between your teeth and gums, and they’re easier to treat than you might think! Here are some tips on how to get rid of stuck food in your gums, so you can stop your toothache right away.
What you need
You can make a saline rinse by mixing one teaspoon of salt into eight ounces of water. Soak a cotton swab or cloth in your solution and then gently dab it on your gums. You can also use hydrogen peroxide as a home remedy for food stuck in gums. Add 2-3% hydrogen peroxide to a small glass of water and rinse with that solution after meals and before brushing your teeth. Be careful not to ingest any part of your teeth during flossing, as you'll get tiny bits stuck between them. Remove food wedged under your gum line: Use a sharp object like tweezers or scissors to remove food lodged under your gum line. If food is stuck between two of your teeth, place some ice on your mouth (it will reduce swelling). Once swollen subsides, use tweezers to carefully remove food between teeth. Rinse mouth with warm salt water: Rinsing out your mouth with warm salt water may dislodge any debris trapped beneath loose gum tissue (or even skin). Mix 1 tsp of salt into 8 oz (1 cup) warm water until it dissolves completely. Sip slowly and let it sit in your mouth for 5 minutes before spitting out. Do not swallow—salt water is bad for sensitive stomachs.
How it works
Many people experience pain or discomfort when food is stuck between their teeth and gums. Whether you find a piece of meat that was prepared incorrectly, or a piece of candy you forgot about as you ate your way through dessert, a food stuck in your gums can be uncomfortable at best, and painful at worst. The best way to get rid of it is by removing it carefully with a dental pick. However, don’t just go digging into your mouth willy-nilly; even if food is causing discomfort or pain, there are some steps you should take before using force
Side effects
If your food is stuck in your gums, it could be gum disease. Gum disease can lead to more serious issues like tooth decay and heart problems. If you think your food has been stuck in your gums for more than a few days, contact our dentist office today. With emergency appointments available 7 days a week, we will take care of you as soon as possible! Our goal is always 100% customer satisfaction so that you will never have an unsatisfactory experience when dealing with us at our dentist office or on social media channels. We look forward to seeing you soon!
When does it hurt?
The gum pain associated with food stuck in your gums will depend on whether or not there is a cavity below. The deeper into your mouth that food gets, then, the more intense pain you'll feel. In many cases, though, it's enough just knowing that something is stuck and being unable to get it out; either way, nothing makes you want it gone more than when it starts hurting. You'll want to stop whatever you're doing and find a solution immediately; if not stopped quickly enough, however, gum abscess home remedy can develop. These typically occur around teeth and may require oral surgery (or other emergency treatment) if left untreated for too long after onset.
What else can I do?
If rinsing with salt water doesn’t do the trick, try some other home remedies. Adding a small amount of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can help with teeth cleaning, even if you don’t have any dental floss on hand. Mix about a teaspoon of baking soda and about 3-4 drops of hydrogen peroxide into a glass of warm water (about 1/2 cup) and drink it down. Then brush your teeth as normal—the harshness should help break down any stuck food particles left on your gum abscess home treatment. If those don’t work, schedule an appointment with your dentist or oral surgeon right away.
Conclusion
When searching for food stuck in your gums, there are two important steps to take. First and foremost, you want to make sure that whatever has found its way between your teeth is soft enough to be removed with just your fingers. Otherwise, reach for a toothpick or tweezers. In most cases, it takes very little effort or time at all to safely remove food stuck between your teeth. But if you are experiencing symptoms of an infection—redness, swelling, tenderness—you may need antibiotic treatment from a doctor; abscesses can become serious if left untreated.
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