Food Stuck Between Teeth? Try These Easy Ways To Remove Residues

Food stuck between teeth is one of the most common nuisances which one faces after eating fibrous items like meat, corn and fruit peals, etc. Besides having a severe effect on your teeth, it’s also very irritating as our tongue doesn’t come to peace with it and keeps fiddling with the food residues lodged inside the gums and contact point of the teeth. People use all kinds of methods such as tying a knot in floss and going aggressive with a toothpick to remove that piece of food. But, it doesn’t have to be that hard to get rid of them. Hz spoke to Dr. Gunita Singh, a dentist, and director of Dentem, dental and orthodontic clinic to find some easy solution. “This happens more in mid-age between 40-60 when the natural gaps between our teeth tend to increase as the gums get weaker. However, food stuck between teeth can be removed easily without damaging gums or any other parts,” she said and recommended following these methods:

Brushing 

One of the simplest answers to most of the dental hygiene issues is brushing. Brushing in the correct manner using the proper technique that is going in vertical strokes from gums to teeth will help remove the extra particles stuck in and around the teeth. “Specially designed interdental brushes can also be used if any stubborn particles are stuck in between the teeth. They have flexible bristles that can easily reach into the contact areas and fish out the stuck food particles rendering the area clean. Brush your teeth along with the best toothpaste for your oral hygiene,” said Dr. Gunita. 

Mouthwash

Mouthwash after every meal is a must to get rid of small unwanted particles deep inside your gums where your brush can’t reach. “To get the most out of the mouthwash you should rinse for 30 seconds before you spit out. That’s the minimum time required for the ingredients to work,” she told Hz. There are a variety of mouthwashes present in the stores nowadays. But, if you want to keep things natural you can also go for homemade mouthwashes.

Dental Floss

Dental floss, a thin cord that is specifically used to get rid of food and dental plaque from between is being used commonly nowadays. But, Dr. Gunita suggests avoiding using this tool on a regular basis. “I don’t recommend dental floss daily as the studies have shown that it creates a gap between the teeth after prolonged use. But once in a while just to remove extra particles stuck in between the teeth, dental floss is a very good substitute to a toothpick and to maintain oral hygiene,” she said

Water Pik 

Water Pik is a new age solution to maintain oral hygiene. It is a no-touch method to keep your oral hygiene clean of debris and other food particles stuck in between the teeth. “It is a blessing for people who have implants, crowns, and bridges, and artificial teeth. This tool is easily available online with multiple tips of various shapes and sizes to suit your teeth and oral cavity. It is battery operated and flushes water. I recommend this because it is soft on gums and also keep breath fresher,” said Dr. Gunita. 

Eating Crisp Fruits & Raw Vegetables 

This one is not a method to get rid of food residues, but eating fruits like apple can keep most of the problems, including dental issues away. “An apple is also called a natural toothbrush, in fact, all crisp fruits and raw vegetables like carrot, celery, and pears help clean plaque and tartar from the teeth. They also reduce cavity-causing bacteria and increase the salivary flow in return, keeping the oral cavity clean and healthy. It’s recommended to consume them in between as a snack,” concluded Dr. Gunita Singh, a dentist at Dentem.