| Lodged Foreign Bodies
Small pieces of food — especially things like popcorn hulls — can get under your gums. If these pieces aren't removed, the area can get irritated, and even infected.
If you feel something wedged under your gum, gently use dental floss to get it out. If this doesn't work, take a toothpick and gently run it around the gum line. Be careful that you don't hurt your gum with the toothpick or accidentally push anything deeper under your gum.
If you can't remove a foreign body yourself, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist has special tools that allow him or her to see into your mouth and find whatever is trapped under your gum. Your dentist also will check for infection.
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