Food Getting Stuck in Your Teeth and Hurting? How to Find Relief Until You Can See a Dentist
Having food stuck in your teeth that causes pain can be extremely uncomfortable. While seeing a dentist is the best solution, it's not always possible to get an appointment right away when a dental emergency strikes.
Fortunately, there are some self-care steps you can take to ease tooth and gum discomfort until you can receive professional treatment. Here is a guide to finding relief when food gets lodged in your teeth and causes pain.
Why Food Gets Stuck and Hurts
Before covering home remedies, let's first look at some of the common reasons food can get trapped in your teeth and cause pain:
Cavities
Tooth decay from cavities leaves pits and holes where food particles easily collect, leading to pain. The decay is caused by bacteria eating away enamel.
Gum Disease
Gingivitis and other gum problems can cause inflammation, receding gums, and gaps between teeth where food can enter and irritate your gums.
Broken or Cracked Teeth
Fractures in your tooth enamel from injury or grinding can create spaces for food to penetrate and stimulate nerve pain.
Dental Work
Temporary fillings, crowns, and bridges that become loose or cracked allow food to get underneath and cause discomfort.
Wisdom Teeth
Partially erupted or improperly aligned wisdom teeth have areas where food collects easily, resulting in inflammation of the gums.
Interdental Spaces
Natural small gaps between certain teeth can trap food pieces until they are removed.
Home Remedies for Relief
While only a dentist can provide definitive treatment, you can try these home remedies to temporarily ease pain from food stuck in your teeth:
Salt Water Rinse
Swishing warm salt water helps dislodge trapped food particles and draws out fluid from inflamed gums.
Dental Pick
Carefully using a clean dental pick can help dislodge stuck food under the gums or between teeth.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen can relieve toothache pain until you see a dentist.
Topical Anesthetics
Products like Orajel applied directly on the gums temporarily numb pain from inflammation.
Cold Compress
Applying an ice pack or cold cloth on the outside of your mouth can lessen external pain from swollen gums.
Clove Oil
Dabbing eugenol-rich clove oil on the painful area offers natural pain relief according to some dental research.
Guava Leaves
Studies show chewing tender guava leaves releases pain-relieving compounds. Rinsing with a guava leaf extract also helps.
Garlic
Due to its antimicrobial properties, garlic placed directly on the affected tooth may kill bacteria and temporarily reduce pain.
When to See an Emergency Dentist
While home remedies can provide temporary relief, it's crucial to make an appointment with your dentist right away if:
- Pain is severe or persistent
- Swelling is extensive
- Tooth feels loose or damaged
- You experience fever, ear pain or bad taste
- Over-the-counter meds provide no relief
Seeking prompt professional dental care can prevent minor issues from turning into major tooth decay or abscesses requiring extraction. Tell them your symptoms and that food is getting trapped.
Preventing Food From Getting Stuck
Once the pain is resolved, there are steps you can take to avoid getting food stuck again:
Brush and Floss
Practicing good oral hygiene removes plaque and food debris where bacteria breeds.
Dental Exams
Regular dental cleanings and checkups detect problems early before they require emergency care.
Mouthguards
Protect your teeth from fractures if you grind at night with a custom night guard.
Avoid Hard, Sticky Foods
Limit candies, gum, seeds, popcorn, and other foods that get trapped more easily.
Rinse After Eating
Swish water after meals to help clear debris that could otherwise get impacted.
When to Have an Extraction
In some cases of chronic pain from trapped food, the dentist may recommend extracting a damaged tooth. Extraction is usually needed if:
- The tooth is severely decayed
- There is extensive damage below the gum line
- An abscess has formed at the root
- The tooth cannot be repaired with other treatments
Extractions are often quick, relatively painless procedures. Getting an infected tooth removed can bring immediate and lasting relief.
Dental Implants to Replace Extracted Teeth
After a damaged natural tooth is extracted, dental implants can restore your smile. Implants involve:
- Placing a titanium screw into the empty tooth socket
- Allowing the jawbone to heal tightly around it
- Mounting a realistic porcelain crown on top
The end result looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. Implants prevent other teeth from shifting and protect your healthy gums.
Don't put up with painful symptoms from food trapped in your teeth - see an emergency dentist promptly for solutions. With proper dental treatment, you can prevent recurring issues.
FAQs
What are some common causes of food getting stuck in teeth?
Cavities, gum disease, cracked teeth, dental work, wisdom teeth, and natural gaps between teeth can all allow food to get trapped and cause pain.
What home remedies provide temporary relief from food stuck in teeth?
Saltwater rinses, dental picks, OTC pain meds, topical anesthetics, cold compresses, clove oil, guava leaves, and garlic may temporarily ease discomfort before seeing a dentist.
When should you see an emergency dentist for food stuck in teeth?
See a dentist right away if pain is severe, swelling is extensive, the tooth feels damaged, you have fevers/ear pain/bad taste, or OTC meds don't help.
How can you prevent food from getting stuck in your teeth?
Preventive measures include brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, wearing a night guard if you grind teeth, avoiding sticky foods, and rinsing after meals.
When may a dentist recommend extracting a tooth with trapped food?
Extractions are typical for severely decayed teeth, teeth with damage below the gums, abscessed teeth, and teeth that cannot be repaired otherwise.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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