Something’s Stuck in My Gums: What to Do?

Everyone’s experienced it at one time or another. Having something stuck between your teeth is one thing. But having something stuck in your gums is a whole other concern. This is because the food debris that’s stuck in your gums will quickly begin to decay. Bacteria will feed on it, leading to more problems, and eventually the health of your tooth may even be threatened. If you’ve got something stuck in your gums, here’s what you should do.

Rinse Your Mouth

First, try rinsing your mouth. Swish water between your teeth where the debris is trapped. This might dislodge the item. If not, try the next step.

Floss

Gently use dental floss to try and dislodge it, being super careful not to push the debris farther into your gums. You might also use the pad of your finger to apply pressure to move the piece of food debris away from the gums.

Don’t Use a Toothpick

Avoid the use of any sharp objects to dislodge the debris, as this could easily damage your gums. It could also increase the risk of a gum infection.

If you can no longer see the debris, it’s time to visit your dentist in Owensboro, KY.

Symptoms to Look For

Contact your dentist and let them know if you have any of the symptoms listed here:

• redness
• swelling
• pain
• tenderness
• bleeding

If you have these symptoms, your dentist may want to schedule you right away for an appointment.

When to Avoid Self-Removal

There are times when you should skip the steps of trying to remove the debris yourself. If the debris is deeply embedded, causing significant pain, or if your gums are already bleeding, avoid attempting to remove it on your own. Self-removal efforts in such cases can worsen the problem, leading to more severe gum damage or infection.

Contact your dentist in Owensboro, KY today for assistance with all your dental care needs, including if you have debris stuck in your gums.