What should I do if something is stuck between my teeth?

When something gets stuck between teeth, it can be removed by using dental floss, a water flosser, gently brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush, rinsing to create oscillating pressure, or seeking professional dental care. If gum swelling, pain, bleeding occurs after an object becomes lodged, or if the foreign body cannot be removed, prompt visit to a dentist is recommended.

1. **Use dental floss**: Cut a piece of floss and wrap the ends around your index fingers to secure it. Gently slide the floss between the teeth and form a "C" shape around the side of each tooth, moving it up and down against the tooth surface. Avoid aggressive sawing motions that may damage the gums. This method effectively removes food particles or soft debris trapped between teeth.

2. **Use a water flosser**: Select a gentle setting on the water flosser and aim the nozzle at the affected tooth gap. The pressurized water stream helps flush out trapped food debris and is especially useful for deep spaces or areas difficult to reach with traditional floss.

3. **Gently brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush**: Angle the bristles of a soft toothbrush at 45 degrees toward the gumline and gently brush back and forth along the area of the tooth gap. Combined with the lubricating effect of toothpaste foam, this can help loosen and remove superficial food debris caught between teeth.

4. **Try rinsing with oscillating motion**: Swish a mouthful of warm water or mild saltwater around your mouth. With lips closed, forcefully puff your cheeks in and out to create water turbulence that may dislodge loosely lodged particles. Repeat several times—this not only helps free trapped material but also cleanses the oral cavity.

5. **Seek professional dental care**: If the object is deeply impacted, or if you still feel discomfort or a foreign body sensation after attempting self-care, visit a dental clinic. A dentist can safely remove the object using specialized tools such as probes or tweezers, minimizing the risk of damaging periodontal tissues.

For daily care, use dental floss every day to clean between teeth, regularly use a water flosser as an adjunct, rinse your mouth promptly after meals, avoid using sharp objects like toothpicks, and schedule regular dental checkups to maintain interdental cleanliness and overall periodontal health.