If you’ve been flossing your teeth for more than a few years, you’ve probably run into this problem before: you’re flossing your teeth like normal, and the floss suddenly snaps off between two teeth. Getting it out seems impossible, and you’re stuck trying to pry out the tiny piece of thread that refuses to budge.
The good news is that this happens to pretty much everyone at least once, and it’s usually a pretty simple fix. There are a few ways you can go about the removal process, but as long as you stay calm and don’t panic over your temporary problem, you should be able to fix the problem in no time at all!
Why Is Dental Floss Getting Stuck Between My Teeth?
The main reason for dental floss getting stuck in a place that makes it difficult to remove really comes down to how much space is in your mouth. Whether this space is due to your oral hygiene routine or just your teeth themselves depends on how much time you usually spend cleaning your teeth.
In some cases, the floss may have gotten snagged on some buildup of plaque or tartar. If you’re just getting back into the habit of flossing your teeth or if you’re flossing an area of your mouth that’s especially tricky to reach, you may have a buildup of hard matter between your teeth that can snag or trap a thread of floss.
If you’ve been flossing religiously for ages, but your floss is still getting snagged, it could be a question of space. In many cases, dentists and orthodontists today are less eager to pull teeth today than they would have been years ago, which means that you probably have less space between your teeth than your parents or grandparents.
While having more teeth is absolutely not a bad thing (it can actually be a plus, most of the time), it may reduce the amount of room in your mouth. In turn, this means that the tighter fit between teeth may be more likely to trap your dental floss.
Finally, the brand of floss itself may play a role. If you’re using an off-brand or relatively cheap brand of floss, you may have to deal with more breakages than normal.
Will Dental Floss Just Dissolve?
Once you’ve lost a bit of floss between your teeth, you may be tempted to just shrug and leave it there. After all, if we put it in our mouths on a regular basis, it’s got to be pretty biodegradable, right?
Unfortunately, while dental floss is perfectly safe for use, it doesn’t exactly dissolve if left on its own. Most dental floss is made of either nylon or Teflon with a flavored coating or some other waxy polish.
Both nylon and Teflon are relatively tough fibers that are hardy enough to hold up to the digestive acids in your stomach, let alone the saliva in your mouth. While both are usually free of any dangerous chemicals or compounds, they’re still pretty tough. This means that it’s probably not going to go away on its own if you leave the broken thread stuck between your teeth.
Even if it did dissolve, having a bit of thread stuck between your teeth for days on end would be an extremely uncomfortable or awkward experience. As a general rule, we’re all usually pretty aware of foreign objects inside the body, and it would be easy to fixate on that tiny bit of floss to the point where it would become a distraction.
For this reason, if you’ve gotten a piece of floss stuck between your teeth, the best thing to do really is just to get it out as soon as possible. You’ll feel so much better once it’s gone, and you won’t have to deal with the constantly nagging reminder of the tight fit between your teeth.
Steps To Take When Dental Floss Is Stuck
Regardless of the cause, once you’ve got some floss stuck in your teeth, you should focus on getting it out as soon as possible. Again, this is a problem that a lot of people deal with on a regular basis, which means that getting that floss loose is usually pretty simple.
To dislodge a stuck piece of dental floss:
Stay calm. Stressing out over a stuck piece of floss will usually only make the problem worse, so it’s extremely important that you keep calm and don’t panic!
Stay away from sharp objects. Your first instinct may be to reach for a pair of tweezers or a toothpick. However, this is usually a bad idea, as you run a higher risk of cutting or tearing your gums.
Rinse your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water will reduce any swelling around your gums and can often dislodge the floss itself for a quick fix! In addition, if you’re already bleeding from the flossing, this will help stop the flow of blood.
Try a water flosser. If possible, use a water flosser to create a sustained stream of water that will force the bit of floss out from between your teeth until you can remove it completely.
Pull from one side. If the previous two entries haven’t help, don’t try to grab the stuck floss from both ends. Rather, get a grip on one end only and pull in a smooth motion.
Why Did My Dental Floss Break?
As mentioned previously, dental floss tends to break either because it’s caught on something hard or sharp or else because it’s thin and fragile enough to easily tear. If the first is the case, the cause may go deeper than simple tartar buildup.
If you have any crowns or fillings in your smile, depending on the material your dentist or orthodontist used, you may have some sharp edges lurking in the back of your mouth. While you yourself may not notice these sharp edges throughout the day, they can often be enough to catch and tear a thin piece of dental floss.
If you don’t have any dental implants (and if you’re certain the problem isn’t your teeth), you may want to take a closer look at the dental floss that you use. It can be tempting to cut costs by purchasing a cheap brand of floss the next time at the store, but that cost may come back to bite you.
Pay attention to the brand of floss you use. If you notice that one brand or another breaks more often than it should, it may be time to consider permanently switching.
Finally, make sure you’re not flossing too aggressively. Any additional strain on your floss could not only risk breaking the strand in your mouth, but could also increase the risk of damaging or even potentially injuring your gums if you press too hard and cut the skin.
There’s more to a healthy mouth than brushing and flossing. The foods we consume and our eating habits also play an important role over the long-term. If you want to stand the best chance at maintaining optimal oral care, take a look at our 10 great eating habits for a healthy mouth below.
1. Stick to Water with Food
Technically water is the only liquid our body needs and when it comes to oral health, it’s the only drink we can fully rely on. This is especially true when eating food, which begins the process of bacteria growth.
Drinking soda, alcohol, acidic fruit juices, milk and pretty much everything else, simply add to this process.
However, water and a few other drinks like green tea are perfect for washing down excess food remnants and rinsing our mouths. Whenever you eat, water is an essential companion. In fact, even if you’d prefer a different drink, it doesn’t harm to have some water afterward.
2. Chew Xylitol Gum after Meals
Water’s not the only good thing for your teeth following meals. If you’re not an obsessive brusher (it can actually be bad to over brush), then chewing gum is a great way to break down the food and bacteria left behind.
Of course, this needs to be sugar-free. An even better option is xylitol gum which specifically targets the bacteria associated with plaque and tartar. However, it’s not a good idea to chew this throughout the day as it can have a laxative effect.
3. Avoid Excess Sugar and Candy
We all know this one, but it’s worth a reminder. Sugary foods like candy are one of the prime causes of cavities and should be avoided as much as possible. Not just for oral health, but overall health as well.
If you simply must have a sugary treat, follow it up with some water to ensure the excess sugar is not coating your mouth. It’s also a bad idea to consume such foods if it will be a long time before you next use a toothbrush.
After your evening meal, sure; at 10 am at the office? Not so good.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
An overall healthy diet is integral to oral health. This isn’t just because of food coming in to contact with your teeth and gums; you also need the underlying nutrients that make-up and maintain them. Poor nutrition also makes it more difficult to avoid and fight off infections.
Furthermore, foods that tend to bad for us (excess sugar and carbohydrates), also promote the bacterial growth that leads to decay and gum disease.
5. Get Enough Vitamin C
Out of all the vitamins, Vitamin C is one of the most important for oral health. In fact, a lack of Vitamin C can lead to weak gums that bleed when you brush or even bleed of their own accord!
This is because collagen helps build the connective tissues found in our gums and Vitamin C contributes to the body’s production of collagen.
Oranges and orange juice are a great way to get the essential vitamin, but it doesn’t hurt to take a supplement.
Calcium is also important for strong teeth, just as with bones.
6. Consume ‘Teeth Cleaning’ Foods
Did you know that some foods actually clean our teeth? This is achieved in a similar way to brushing (the friction of chewing the food). Certain foods also help kill bacteria!
The best teeth cleaning foods include apples (not a very acidic fruit), carrots, celery, and cucumber. It’s best to eat these in their natural and uncooked state. A crunchy raw carrot, for example, is much better than a soft mushy one.
7. Brush at the Right Times
It’s common to brush teeth right after eating, and while this advice isn’t necessarily wrong, brushing after eating certain foods can actually irritate the gums and speed up the erosion of tooth enamel.
This applies mainly to acidic foods like citrus fruits because you’re essentially brushing that acid around your mouth. Experts suggest waiting at least 30 minutes after consuming anything acidic before brushing. It will also help to drink and rinse with water beforehand.
8. Consult a Dentist
If you have concerns about how your eating habits are affecting your oral health, your first port of call should be a dentist, who can assess your teeth and gums and offer professional advice. Of course, this is not necessarily free (especially if you need to have some procedures done).
9. Don’t Overdo Citrus Fruits
It’s not often you hear ‘don’t eat fruits,’ but citrus fruits which are particularly acidic can damage tooth enamel, irritate gums and give rise to bacteria if consumed in excess.
Just don’t overdo it, consume the fruit along with other foods and remember to drink some water afterward.
10. Don’t Strain Your Teeth
There’s a physical element to eating that can put physical strain on your teeth and jaw – for example if you eat a lot of tough meat and hard candy.
While a healthy mouth is a strong mouth, you might not be starting from such a healthy point. The risk of damaging teeth just by eating is also more pronounced in the elderly population.
By following the above tips and combining them with regular brushing and flossing, you should be on your way to a healthy mouth and overall good health.
Hydrogen Peroxide will act as a teeth bleacher. It whitens your teeth and gives you an attractive smile. It is a highly reactive chemical that is made from both oxygen and hydrogen. It is a key ingredient for most of the teeth whitening products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
A tooth contains natural molecules in enamel and the dentin. These molecules reflect the light and are responsible for their color. The chemical peroxide has a greater whitening power for your teeth. It will create a reaction and has whitening factors because the chemical will pass through your tooth and break down complex molecules. Normal concentrations are around 3% and can go as high as 10%.
Even though Hydrogen Peroxide is used to help you achieve that pearly white smile, there are certain precautions that you must take while using Hydrogen Peroxide.
Is There Any Risk When Using Hydrogen Peroxide?
There is a risk of hydrogen peroxide will be overused. It can damage the enamel on your teeth and the tissue inside your mouth. Because of its highly reactive chemical, it may cause gums and mouth irritation. Thus, limit your use to only 2 times a week.
Other Precautions That You Must Observe:
Please bear in mind that hydrogen peroxide is not for swallowing since it can react faultily to your natural acids that help digest food properly. It can cause burns to your esophagus.
This chemical is unable to change the shade of fillings, gold teeth, ceramic teeth, porcelain teeth, or other restorative materials. This is due to the hydrogen content that cannot penetrate the surface layers of these materials. However, it can affect more porous dental work such as cement and dental amalgams.
It is important that you keep hydrogen peroxide away from children. If your children have swallowed a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, it is advised that you should let your child drink water or milk.
The average lifespan of a dental crown is between 5 and 15 years. How long a crown lasts mostly depends on how well it’s placed, how well it’s taken care of and how it’s used.
A well-cared-for crown could last indefinitely, but it’s rare for a crown that has been well-fitted to crack or malfunction sooner than five years. This is why most dental insurance providers cover crown replacements after 5 years.
If the crown is misplaced or needs to be adjusted, this will usually be noticed by the patient and should be fixed by the doctor promptly. Once the adjustment period is over, it’s up to the patient to take good care of their new crown to make sure it lasts as long as possible.
What factors affect crown longevity?
Overall the most important factors that determine how long a dental crown will last are: oral hygiene, chewing and biting habits, crown material, and frequency of dental check-ups.
Oral hygiene tips for healthy teeth (and crowns):
Brushing all your teeth thoroughly, at least twice a day.
Flossing between every tooth, every day.
Using mouthwash, every day.
Chewing and Biting Tips:
Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.
Refrain from eating foods or drinks that are too hot or too cold.
Avoid chewing hard materials like ice or pencils.
Never use your teeth as a tool, such as opening a plastic container with your teeth.
Never leave pieces of food (such as popcorn or meat) stuck between your teeth or your gums. They are a common cause of infection.
Recommended frequency of dental checkups:
One or more follow-up visits to your dentist in the first several weeks after your crown is placed. These check-ups are to make sure that your mouth is healing property from the procedure.
A cleaning appointment with your dentist once every 6 months, at least. You can schedule more frequent appointments if you have a history of oral disease or want to make sure your mouth health is being regularly checked by a professional.
Crown Material
Some crown materials are sturdier than others.
All-metal crowns, such as gold crowns, are the strongest type of dental prosthetics there are. All-metal crowns are impossibly hard to chip, but nowadays most people prefer more aesthetic alternatives.
Zirconia crowns are very strong as well. Zirconia is a metal oxide material derived from Zirconium metal. Crowns made from zirconia have an appearance that is similar to real teeth and are very strong compared to other ceramic dental prosthetic materials.
Emax crowns are another type of ceramic crown. They have an even closer resemblance to real teeth, but are a little less resistant to chipping. This does not mean that they will chip easily, but they have less of a chance of lasting longer than 15 years.
Did you ever skip brushing your teeth because you were just too tired to stand there and mindlessly scrub at your gums for two minutes? While skipping out on one or two cleanings is not ideal, it is not something that can cause serious damage, but poor oral health can lead to many health issues and can increase the risk for much deadlier diseases.
Having excellent oral health is much more than just making sure your pearly whites are nice and bright. If you really think about it, your mouth is a prime entrance into your body and having poor oral health can produce destructive outcomes for you whole functioning body. Today, we will be discussing what type of health issues that could arise from maintaining poor oral health.
There can be many different instances where your body is ending you signs that something could be wring, however, we have to make sure we heed these warning signs and schedule an appointment for a professional opinion.
Such signs as bleeding gums, aching teeth and even a bad breath smell can all be indicators that something is not quite right. Better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to your health and practice good hygiene for your teeth and gums!
Poor oral health can lead to many diseases and health issues, below are the most common problems that can arise from not maintaining proper health and self-care practices.
Cardiovascular disease.- This can happen as a result of poor oral health and can put you at a greater risk for heart disease. This is a perfect example of what could happen if bacteria enters your bloodstream.
If your gums happen to be inflamed due to the same bacteria that causes periodontal disease, this bacteria can enter your bloodstream and create plaque to form and harden around your arteries.
Diabetes may not be a direct cause of poor oral health, but diabetics are more susceptible to infection and gum disease. Periodontal disease can spike blood sugar levels thus creating difficulty controlling elevated levels of blood sugar.
Cancer.- Not only can you develop oral cancer by poor oral health and extracurricular activities such as smoking and chewing tobacco, but other cancers such as kidney, blood, and pancreatic cancers have been linked to poor oral health.
Kidney disease can occur as a result of poor oral health due to the fact that their immune systems are weaker.
Dementia can be linked to poor oral health as a result from the gum disease, gingivitis. This can happen when the bacteria spreads from the mouth to the nerve channels through the bloodstream.
Respiratory infections can form as a result of more bacteria leaking through the bloodstream or even by breathing bacteria (accidently) into the lungs. Once there, bacteria can cause infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
While you may be tired after a long day, remember, brushing your teeth for a few minutes now could save you from a worse fate later.
Interproximal cavities, more popularly known as the cavities in between your teeth, are actually pretty common. They start to form when there is a breakdown of the outer, calcified enamel of the tooth that is caused by bacteria in your mouth.
Cavities are easily preventable, even if you seem to be finding them with every dentist visit. The more information you have on interproximal cavities the better!
Did you know?
35% of your teeth’s surface are in between other teeth. If you decide to skip flossing one day, then only two-thirds of your teeth are getting cleaned! Think of it this way–not flossing is like washing your hands but not scrubbing in between your fingers. Gross!
Dental cavities are one of the most prevalent diseases amongst the general population. But, the good news with this is that they are easily preventable.
Once a cavity is treated, the tooth will stop decaying. So don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable, because the earlier you treat the decaying tooth, the less damage will occur. And the less treatment you will have to receive!
Symptoms of Interproximal Cavities
Many of the symptoms occur when the cavity has penetrated into the dentin, known as the second hard layer of tissue beneath the enamel. Symptoms of these cavities include:
Sensitivity to cold
Sensitivity to sweets or sugar
Trouble chewing on the tooth with the cavity
How can I prevent cavities?
Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. While doing this alone is great, it is still important to make sure your technique is up to par. Use circular motions on the fronts and chewing surfaces of your teeth and small, up-and-down motions on the backs. Remember to pay some attention to the back molars too!
Floss every day. This is another really important technique you’re going to want to master for optimal results. Start by winding 18” of floss around the middle finger of each hand. Use your thumb and index fingers to pinch the string while leaving 1-2” length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss in between teeth while using a zig-zag motion. It is important to remember not to snap the floss in between your teeth. Contour floss around the side of each tooth.
X-Rays
When receiving your yearly x-rays from My Dentist, we’re looking for the earliest signs of tooth decay. We can tell when you’re about to develop a cavity by observing the dark areas developing around the outermost layer of your tooth, known as the enamel.
If there seems to be a suspicious amount of decay, a mouth rinse or dental paste with extra fluoride may be prescribed to you.
Holy Molar! You already have a cavity
We’ve all been there and there’s no point in beating yourself up for it. The best way to bounce back from having a cavity is to focus on taking better care of your oral hygiene, which will help prevent future cavities. But for now, this one will be easily treated with a dental filling by your dentist.
Whether it’s some leftover spinach from your salad at lunch or a poppy seed from your bagel at breakfast, food will inevitably get stuck in your teeth. The frequency that this occurs and how you get that food out matters. While it may be easy to grab a toothpick, think twice before using it regularly as a way to remove pesky leftover food in your teeth.
Frequency of Food Getting Stuck in Your Teeth
If food gets stuck in your teeth every once in a while, there’s likely no cause for concern. However, if you are getting food stuck in your teeth on a daily basis, you may need to talk to a dentist. There are a number of reasons you could be dealing with food getting stuck between your teeth. If you have a filling that has broken down or was improperly shaped, food may be susceptible to getting stuck in it. Teeth can also move around and create spaces that weren’t there before. In these cases, you should contact a dental professional as they can help remedy the issue or provide you with the options for how to properly remove the food.
Is it Okay to Use a Toothpick?
The answer is that it’s not your best option and should be avoided if possible. Dental professionals say that if you have nothing else to use and something is stuck in your teeth, using a toothpick very carefully is okay. It’s not ideal and continued use is not suggested. There are multiple reasons why dentists don’t want you using a toothpick to clean your teeth or dislodge some leftover food. Below you will find why it is not advised to use toothpicks.
Breakage: A toothpick is a small piece of wood. With that, it could easily break and get lodged into your gums. The larger problems a toothpick could create is reason enough to opt for another method.
Infection: Most of the time people will pick up a toothpick at the end of a meal out of a community toothpick holder. With everyone’s dirty hands grabbing out of the same container, there is a risk of infection. It could be even worse if you have an open sore or wound in your mouth.
Alternatives to Toothpicks
The best way to remove food from your teeth is with dental floss. Flossing has major benefits for your oral health (and overall health) that it makes sense to use it. It can also hit many of the hard to reach places in your mouth without risking damaging your gums or infection. In addition to dental floss, a healthy oral care routine can keep your mouth clean and free from plaque and other harmful bacteria. It’s important to floss at least once a day, brush at least twice a day, use mouthwash, and attend your regular dental checkups at least every six months. Using a soft bristled brush can help keep your teeth and gums healthy without putting any harmful pressure on them. For those who are unable to floss due to arthritis or any issues with their hands, pre-threaded floss holders can help with this. In addition, flossing properly is important. Between each tooth you will want to create a “C” motion around your tooth to get everything from top to bottom.
When the urge to clean strikes, you may find yourself with an armful of bathroom products, including mouthwash, that makes you wonder how serious to take their expiration dates. The mouthwash may seem OK based on its appearance and smell, yet its expiration date may tell another story.
Usually, mouthwash is good for a maximum of 2 to 3 years from the manufacture date.
Most mouthwash contains alcohol or another astringent, which starts to dissolve after 2 or 3 years and essentially waters down the liquid. This may encourage bacteria growth, which makes expired mouthwash potentially unsafe to use.
Common mouthwash ingredients such as fluoride, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils also deteriorate over time, making them less effective.
Read on to learn more about the risks of using expired mouthwash, as well as some tips for putting your leftover liquid to good use.
Is it safe to use expired mouthwash?
Expired mouthwash may contain bacteria and rancid ingredients, making it unsafe for use. Plus, it may not be effective in:
cleaning your teeth, gums, and mouth
preventing tooth decay
eliminating bad breath
Signs that your mouthwash is past its prime include changes to its color, a strange smell, and an unusual consistency. Natural mouthwash options, some of which require refrigeration, have even shorter shelf lives.
If you have a mouthwash bottle with no date and you’re unsure about it, stay on the safe side and don’t use it.
What could happen if you use expired mouthwash?
Due to the breakdown of its active ingredients, expired mouthwash is likely ineffective and possibly harmful. This is true for both therapeutic mouthwash and cosmetic mouthwash, which tastes good and temporarily relieves bad breath.
Therapeutic mouthwash, which is used to treat conditions such as plaque, tooth decay, and gingivitis, may include active ingredients such as fluoride, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils. Over time, fluoride and hydrogen peroxide lose their potency, which makes them less effective at whitening your teeth, improving your oral health, and preventing cavities.
Some mouthwashes contain essential oils, which usually have a shelf life of a few years. Changes to their composition over time weaken their strength and effectiveness. Especially if they’ve been exposed to light, heat, and oxygen, or mixed with other ingredients.
The alcohol or antiseptic in mouthwash starts dissolving after a few years. This leads to watery mouthwash and may encourage bacteria growth.
In 2020 and 2021, Sunstar Americas, Inc. voluntarily recalled a prescription oral rinse because of microbial contamination with the bacteria Burkholderia lata. The product, Paroex Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse USP, 0.12 percent, is used to treat gingivitis.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source said that using the product could potentially cause oral and systemic infections requiring antibacterial therapy. In some individuals, it could cause life threatening infections, including pneumonia and bacteremia.
These incidents highlight the potential of mouthwash to contain harmful bacteria.
How should you dispose of expired mouthwash?
If you decide to get rid of expired mouthwash, you can simply pour it down the drain.
But if you prefer to repurpose it, there are several household uses for mouthwash. It’s OK to use expired mouthwash for many of these uses, though it may be slightly less effective. It’s not advised to use the expired rinse for any skin care purposes, though.
Here are a few ways to use mouthwash for household purposes:
Eliminate odors and freshen your clothes by adding 1 cup of mouthwash to a load of laundry.
Blend a bug-repellent plant spray using one part mouthwash and two parts water.
Use mouthwash as a toilet bowl cleaner.
Add a capful of mouthwash to a vase to extend the life of fresh flowers.
Use mouthwash to dampen a towel to clean your mirrors and windows.
The bottom line
If you’ve managed to hang on to a bottle of mouthwash long enough for it to expire, chances are you don’t use it very often. Expired mouthwash contains ingredients that weaken and become rancid with time, so it’s unlikely to provide many benefits. Plus, the alcohol has probably already dissolved, leaving you with a watery liquid that’s possibly bacteria-ridden.
The deterioration of mouthwash ingredients may even cause the plastic bottle to break down. This makes the expired mouthwash even riskier. All in all, any bottle of mouthwash that’s 2 to 3 years old, even if it’s within its expiration date, probably isn’t worth the risk. Go ahead and find a way to use it around your house or toss it.
Your health and peace of mind are worth the price of a new bottle of mouthwash, which is sure to provide all of the oral health benefits you’re after.
Store mouthwash away from direct sunlight in a dry, cool place. If you usually forget to use mouthwash and want to get into the habit, place it in a visible location.
Before you know it, that time of year has rolled around again and you get the call: your dentist is expecting you in the office in just a few days.
You might outwardly groan, but deep inside you know a regular dental checkup is a good thing.
At Portrait Dental in Katy, Texas, Dr. Minh Nguyen makes these regular checkups a priority. We see the benefits of them every day, so we’d like to share why they are important.
The exam
A regular dental checkup includes two basic parts: an examination to make sure your overall oral health is good and a cleaning to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.
At your visit, a dental hygienist conducts an exam of your mouth to look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and other potential concerns, including oral cancer. They’ll usually take an X-ray to look for any cavities as well.
There’s no reason to assume anything is wrong, but it’s a great idea to check just in case. If you are getting regular checkups and your dentist does find an issue, it’s likely they caught it before it got too bad.
If you wait years between your checkups, you could develop a serious problem so it’s best to maintain a regular schedule.
The cleaning
Once your exam is finished, the hygienist begins removing plaque (a clear, sticky layer of bacteria) and tartar from your teeth with a tool called a scaler. You may hear a scraping sound during this process, but you don’t need to worry. The greater the buildup of tartar, the longer this cleaning process takes.
Once this is done, your teeth are polished with a gritty toothpaste to remove any surface stains from your teeth. The hygienist then does an expert flossing to remove any food particles or plaque from between your teeth.
Finally, Dr. Nguyen does an exam to ensure everything looks good before you go on your way.
What should you do between checkups?
Your regular checkups will go much better if you practice good oral hygiene between visits. This includes vigorously brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using mouthwash to help control bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Don’t neglect to schedule your next dental checkup. If you miss it, small problems could become big problems, leading to gum recession and tooth loss. Gum disease is even linked to more chronic health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
The lesson is clear — go to your regular dental checkups. To schedule a visit, contact us by phone or use our convenient online scheduler to make your appointment today. We’re here to keep your mouth healthy!
Some people may not have the issue of food getting stuck in between their teeth. Many times it all depends on different factors including what kind of food they are eating and if they have any gapped teeth or inflamed gums. Either way, if someone has been noticing that food is getting stuck in their teeth it is important that it’s removed and someone keeps a good dental hygiene routine.
Having a good routine when it comes to daily oral hygiene is important if someone begins noticing changes in their teeth it may require that slight adjustments be made to compensate. Doing this can fend off other issues from occurring and it will help someone keep everything in order in their day to day life.
WHAT CAN FOOD GETTING STUCK IN YOUR TEETH INDICATE?
Most of the time food getting stuck in certain areas of someone’s mouth is not a big issue. It can be from the type of food that is being chewed or if the food is more sticky or chewy in consistency. However, if there is pain or someone notices that the gums are bleeding it could indicate that there is something for the dentist to take a look at.
Although it typically is not something that needs an emergency dental appointment, making a note to talk to with the dentist at your next bi-annual cleaning would be a good idea. If an issue does irritate a person or if it becomes painful, making an appointment to visit a dentist may be the best idea.
BRUSHING AND FLOSSING IS VERY IMPORTANT
Everyone knows that brushing and flossing every day is important. However, if you have noticed that food keeps getting stuck in a specific area of your mouth or between certain teeth it could benefit from slightly adjusting your routine.
If food continues getting stuck between two certain teeth, adding some extra brushing to that area could be beneficial. Although over-brushing is never a good thing. Adding an extra 15-20 seconds of lightly brushing the area can help in strengthening the gums.
When flossing, be sure and floss between the two teeth where the food keeps getting stuck. This will help to ensure that all of the food is removed, even particles that you can’t feel. The flossing will also strengthen your gums, which over time can help to fight off pieces of food getting stuck.
USING A SALT WATER SOLUTION
A salt water solution can both clean the teeth and gums, and also help in healing areas of the mouth. Although, many people do not realize that salt can be a healing agent when used properly. Adding a bit to some water and swishing it around your mouth can help strengthen gums, too!
USING A TOOTH PICK CAN BE HELPFUL
Using a toothpick can help in dislodging food or particles that are stuck in-between a person's teeth. Someone can use their fingers most times, but if the piece of food is small enough it may not be enough to dislodge it. Never use anything metal to do this. Instead, use a toothpick and get the piece of food dislodged and free from between the teeth.
If you have been noticing that food keeps getting stuck in a certain spot, or if there is pain that continues for an extended time, having a quick chat with your dentist could be beneficial. Most of the time it could be an issue that is easily resolved if dealt with sooner rather than later. Contact your dentist to make the best decisions for your oral health and gums.
(12/28/2021) by Bellevue Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry
