It happens to all of us: you go to the movie theater and immediately get a piece of popcorn stuck between your teeth. For the next two hours, you can’t concentrate on the film because you are too preoccupied with trying to get that kernel out from where it has wedged itself.
While this is certainly an annoying setup, it is quite common, and the real problem occurs when you start getting food stuck between the teeth on a frequent basis. There are a few major causes of such a problem:
| • | Larger than normal gaps between the teeth. If your teeth are spaced out a title wider than they should be, it may be easier for food items to get stuck in between them. |
| • | Cavities. A cavity is a hole of decay, and when they are found between the teeth, they make it easier for debris and food particle to get wedged in there. |
| • | Gum disease. Gum disease can cause a variety of dental problems, including bleeding gums, bone loss, and receding gums. If you have advanced gum disease, you might also notice that your teeth start to shift out of place or drift into other spaces, leading to gaps that might be able to catch food particles. |
| • | Failing to floss correctly. If you aren’t flossing or using the correct method, you could actually force food debris further in between the space rather than working it free. |
If you find that you are getting food caught between your teeth more often than you feel is normal, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist.
If spacing is a problem, he may recommend orthodontic treatment, but if a cavity or filing is causing the problem, you might need a new restoration put in. In other cases, your dentist may be able to remedy the problem by performing a simple cleaning.
If you have any questions please call our office today.