Food may get stuck in your tooth extraction hole when you eat. So what should you do?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a straightforward and common dental procedure. In fact, one study estimates 10 million third molars are removed from roughly 5 million people each year. Yet once the tooth is pulled, you’ll need to follow several guidelines to ensure a swift and complete recovery — including making sure food doesn’t get stuck in the extraction hole.
But even if food lodges in the hole, don’t fret. Instead, try several techniques to safely remove the food particle so your healing continues. Read on for some helpful tips.
Why Do You Have Wisdom Teeth?
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth won’t make you smarter. Your wisdom teeth are the fourth set of molars in the back of your mouth. Our ancient ancestors needed those powerful teeth to chew tough, uncooked foods. But as cooking methods softened the food we ate, we gradually lost the need for wisdom teeth. Further, our jaws became smaller, which left little room for these large molars.
Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt, typically between the ages of 17 and 25. In some people, wisdom teeth grow at odd angles that can damage nearby teeth, or they stay within the jawbone. These impacted wisdom teeth cause pain and gum irritation and must be removed. However, even without symptoms, your dentist may recommend removal to avoid problems in the future. Also, younger people experience fewer complications from tooth extraction. But one complication at any age is a food particle stuck in the extraction site.
How Do You Remove Food Particles from the Extraction Hole?
The tooth extraction leaves a gap where the tooth once was. A blood clot will form over the site to protect the bone. Food particles may lodge in the extraction hole during this time and interfere with healing.
If the particle is not causing problems, you can simply wait for it to fall out. Or you can dislodge it by:
Rinsing With Warm Salt Water
After waiting 24 hours, rinse your mouth with one tablespoon of table salt and eight ounces of room-temperature water. Gently swish the solution in your mouth, but don’t spit it out — that could dislodge the clot. Instead, let the water fall from your mouth. You can also rinse with a germicidal mouthwash recommended by your dentist.
Flushing the Particle Out With a Syringe
Fill a sterile syringe with slightly warm or room-temperature water. Place the syringe near the site (not directly on it) and spray the food particle out with soft flushes. A spray bottle is another option, but you’ll need to open your mouth wide.
Brushing Gently
Brush the food bit gently away with a soft-bristled toothbrush — but wait at least a week before brushing near the extraction site. You can also use a sterile cotton swab; just be careful not to push the particle deeper into the hole.
How to Avoid Getting Food Particles in the Extraction Hole
Of course, you can help prevent food particles from entering the extraction site by taking a few precautions:
- Chew away from the extraction site. Chew on the opposite side of your mouth. This may be tricky if you’ve had multiple teeth removed.
- Rinse after eating. Use a warm salt water solution or antimicrobial mouthwash after meals to help flush out debris.
- Eat a soft diet. Stick with soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, pudding, and smoothies. Avoid tough-to-chew items or foods with seeds and kernels, like steak, nuts, berries, and popcorn.
Don’t Fear a Tooth Extraction — See Espire Dental
Schedule an appointment with Espire Dental today! Our highly trained dentists will make your wisdom tooth extraction and recovery as easy as possible. Whether you're dealing with impacted teeth or just want peace of mind, we're here to help.
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