Understanding the Significance of Healthy Gums for Excellent Oral Health
Healthy gums help maintain excellent oral health. They provide a foundation for strong teeth and contribute to overall oral hygiene. Here are some key reasons why healthy gums are significant for maintaining oral health:
- Healthy gums act as a barrier and protect the underlying structures of the teeth, including the roots and supporting bone.
- When healthy gums fit snugly around the teeth, forming a tight seal that prevents bacteria from entering and causing gum disease.
- Healthy gums help anchor teeth in place by supporting the underlying bone.
- When gums are healthy, they provide a smooth surface for the toothbrush bristles to clean the teeth properly.
- Unhealthy gums contribute to persistent bad breath or halitosis.
How and Why Do Foods Get Stuck in Your Gums?
Foods can get stuck in your gums due to various reasons, including the following:
- Fibrous or stringy foods like meat, popcorn hulls, seeds, or tough vegetables, quickly become lodged in the spaces between teeth or get stuck in the gum pockets.
- Irregular tooth alignment or crowded teeth create tight spaces and gaps where food particles can easily get wedged in the gums.
- Gum recession – when gums pull back from teeth, exposing the roots and creating gaps known as gum pockets. These pockets can trap food particles and make it easier for them to get stuck.
- Dental restorations like tooth crowns, bridges, or implants have contours or margins along the gum line that can trap food debris if not properly cleaned.
- Inadequate oral hygiene habits lead to plaque and food debris buildup between teeth and along the gum line.
How To Remove Food Stuck In Gums When Floss Don’t Work
Usually, when you have something wedged in your gums, dentists near you will recommend using dental floss to dislodge it. However, sometimes you have something stuck in your gums, and the floss is not working. For such moments, you have to consider alternative solutions.
Alternative Methods to Safely Remove Objects from Your Gums
Some of the alternative methods for safely removing objects from your gums we recommend at Innovo Dental and Implant Studio are:
- Rinse with warm saltwater – dissolve salt in warm water, gargle it in your mouth, and spit it out after about 30 seconds. The warm saltwater can dislodge food particles and reduce inflammation.
- Use an oral irrigator, also known as a water flosser – fill the reservoir of the irrigator with lukewarm water and direct the jet of water toward the area where the food is lodged. Move the water stream along the gum line and between teeth to flush out the food particles.
- Dental picks or interdental brushes with small, narrow tips – can reach and gently dislodge food stuck in the gums. Be cautious not to be too forceful or aggressive with dental picks and interdental brushes, as they can harm the gums.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush along the gum line and the affected area gently. Avoid applying excessive pressure to prevent causing any irritation or damage to the gums.
- Use dental floss with a loop – tie a piece of floss into a loop. Insert the loop between your teeth and around the gum area where the food is stuck. Move the loop gently up and down, side to side, and back and forth to dislodge the food particle.
When To Visit A Dentist
Ideally, you should contact your dentist in Tracy, CA, immediately after you realize you cannot dislodge the debris from your gums with dental floss. Instead of worsening the issues and needing urgent care, it is safer to call a dentist. However, consider the following signs as reasons to visit a dentist for debris removal in your gums:
- Persistent discomfort, pain, or irritation in the gum area despite your efforts to remove the debris
- Signs of infection, including swelling, redness, pus, or a foul odor coming from the gum area
- Debris trapped around partially erupted or impacted wisdom teeth
- If you accidentally injure your gums while trying to remove debris
- If you frequently experience debris getting stuck in your gums