{"id":198,"date":"2020-01-11T14:32:18","date_gmt":"2020-01-11T14:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oaktondentistrybydesign.com\/blog\/?p=198"},"modified":"2020-02-29T16:07:46","modified_gmt":"2020-02-29T16:07:46","slug":"dentist-oakton-solutions-for-when-food-gets-stuck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oaktondentistrybydesign.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/dentist-oakton-solutions-for-when-food-gets-stuck\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Food Stuck When You Eat? A Dentist Discusses Causes and Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Woman<\/a>There you are, enjoying a dinner date with your significant other when it happens again. You\u2019ve got food stuck in that one certain spot and, unfortunately, the only way to discreetly remove it is to head to the bathroom, which is not only annoying, but embarrassing as well! So what causes food to get stuck in the first place, and can a dentist in Oakton help? Keep reading to learn about 4 common reasons and which treatments can make a big difference.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Gum Recession<\/h2>\n

Gum recession occurs when the gums \u201cpull back\u201d and expose the roots of the teeth. It\u2019s fairly common and can be caused by brushing too hard, clenching and grinding, genetics and more.<\/p>\n

In addition to causing sensitivity, areas of gum recession often collect food as well. This occurs because the surface of the roots is rougher than the crowns, or visible part of the teeth. The roots can also be easily worn away with overzealous brushing, which leads to a concave shape near the gumline. These factors mean that food gets trapped at the gumline far easier than it did before.<\/p>\n

Depending on your needs, a dentist may recommend putting tooth-colored filling material over the root to protect it and create a smooth surface. Or, if you have more severe recession, they may recommend a procedure to restore the gumline to its initial position.<\/p>\n

2. Dental Bridges<\/h2>\n

A dental bridge is a \u201cfloating\u201d prosthetic tooth that\u2019s connected to two dental crowns on either side. Since there\u2019s a space underneath the prosthetic tooth, it\u2019s easy for food to get trapped under or around a bridge.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to get regular checkups to make sure your dental bridge is fitting well. To dislodge food debris, it\u2019s helpful to carry interdental brushes and\/or floss threaders with you. You can also simply swish water around several times during a meal.<\/p>\n

3. Dentures<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s common to get food stuck when you\u2019re first getting used to dentures. After an initial adjustment period, you\u2019ll re-learn how to chew and swallow to minimize food debris collecting under or around your appliance.<\/p>\n

Also, traditional dentures don\u2019t usually fit as well over time, so there may be too much space between the base of the denture and your gums. A dentist can do a reline or other type of adjustment to resolve the issue and keep problems to a minimum.<\/p>\n

4. Old or Ill-Fitting Dental Crowns<\/h2>\n

Dental crowns<\/a> often last 10-20 years or more with good oral hygiene habits and regular checkups. When functioning properly, food shouldn\u2019t accumulate around them. However, sometimes a cavity starts underneath a crown, and it no longer has a tight \u201cseal\u201d over the tooth. In other cases, a dental crown wasn\u2019t designed correctly and doesn\u2019t touch the adjacent teeth the way it should. Without a contact point, there\u2019s an open space that can easily collect food.<\/p>\n

If you think your dental crown is old or doesn\u2019t fit well, schedule a checkup with a dentist. After diagnosing the problem, they\u2019ll recommend the best option for addressing the issue, which may involve a new crown or dental work on one of the teeth on either side.<\/p>\n

By seeing a dentist for an evaluation, you\u2019ll not only\u00a0maintain your oral health – you’ll also avoid getting food lodged in your teeth on your next dinner date!<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n

Dr. Pasquale Giordano<\/a> has over 15 years of experience as a family dentist and graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. With a focus on comprehensive care, he offers a wide variety of services to help patients of all ages eat, speak and smile with ease. If you frequently get food stuck in your teeth or have any questions, he can be reached via his website.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There you are, enjoying a dinner date with your significant other when it happens again. You\u2019ve got food stuck in that one certain spot and, unfortunately, the only way to discreetly remove it is to head to the bathroom, which is not only annoying, but embarrassing as well! So what causes food to get stuck […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n