I use a tooth pick, a safety pin and a visiting card to remove stuck fiber /food in between teeth. Is It Okay?

I use a tooth pick, a safety pin and a visiting card to remove stuck fiber /food in between teeth. Is it okay?

Any food or fiber, getting lodged in between teeth cannot create the specific space for the same. Thus they cause irritation in the gums and later it can lead to inflammation of the gums. This whole process will lead to pain and mild swelling in the gums.

Any sharp hard object  used to clean food stuck in between teeth and gums, can lead to further displacement of the tissue. Regular use of these objects can cause permanent damage/gap in that region. So you have to take enough precautions to clean the food from that site.

Easiest method is to brush on those teeth and gums to remove the food. Secondly, one can use dental floss to clean the food.

If food lodgment episodes are often, than one should be careful about getting the teeth checked by the dentist. Because there are chances of cavity or any gum diseases which may cause gap in that particular region and can lead to further damage. So, dental scaling, filling for cavitated tooth or resolving gum diseases with proper treatment by dentist can help you prevent bigger change as well as permanent loss of tooth. So, visit your dentist whenever you are in doubt. I repeatedly recommend not using pins or cards which are not sterile and lead to bacterial infection and pus discharge as well as other diseases. Wishing you happy responsible day ahead.

Dr. Meet R. Ramatri (M.D.S.)