LODGED FOREIGN BODY
Small pieces of food — especially things like popcorn hulls or seeds— can get under your gums. If these pieces aren't removed, the area can get irritated, and even infected.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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. Vigorous rinsing with salt water may also help to dislodge food that is wedged in. Another option is to use an interdental brush that may be purchased at the pharmacy. In addition, oral irrigators, such as a water pic can be useful. Be careful that you don't hurt your gum with the any of these modalities or accidentally push anything deeper under your gum.
WHAT YOUR DENTIST WILL DO
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. If an infection is present, the dentist may prescribe an antibiotic or antibiotic rinse.
After the foreign body is removed, it is imperative to keep that area very clean by using some combination of brushing, flossing, and other oral care aides such as interdental picks or brushes, or an oral irrigator and rinsing.
Lodged Foreign Body Injuries in Children
Young children between the ages of 0 and 3 are at high risk of foreign body injuries. Young children often place objects in their mouth to learn about them and to distinguish if they are a food. A study found that the foreign body injuries of young children are frequently coins or balls or even seeds and nuts. These objects can be lodged in the esophagus or airway. It is important not to delay evaluation and treatment for a lodged foreign body in a young child. Often lodged foreign bodies can be mistaken for a respiratory problem or a gastrointestinal problem.
Updated- January 22, 2021
References:
- Ng E, Lim LP. An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness. Dent J (Basel). 2019 Jun 1;7(2):56. doi: 10.3390/dj7020056. PMID: 31159354; PMCID: PMC6630384.
- Passali D, Gregori D, Lorenzoni G, Cocca S, Loglisci M, Passali FM, Bellussi L. Foreign body injuries in children: a review. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2015 Oct;35(4):265-71. PMID: 26824213; PMCID: PMC4731891.
- Slapak I, Passali FM, Gulati A; Susy Safe Working Group. Non food foreign body injuries. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 May 14;76 Suppl 1:S26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2012.02.006. Epub 2012 Feb 24. PMID: 22365375.