I don’t think this qualifies as asking for medical advice. I am under the care of a competent dentist and have consulted a periodontist. Just seeking some more information.
Being middle-aged, I’ve been battling receding gums for some time now, but due to some lifestyle changes and a great dentist and hygenist, for the most part, the problems have calmed down. But I still have one problem: food getting stuck in my teeth.
It’s getting bad enough that I’m self-conscious going out to lunch with friends. A bit of spinach dip, some pesto, even soft bread — after lunch, my entire menu is still visible in my smile.
I guess it’s because there is now more tooth exposed and where the tooth meets the gum-line, the tooth is more narrow, so there are new small spaces between each tooth. Spaces = food traps. That’s just my guess, though.
I know that one can have a tissue graft to patch the gums back together, but I assume it would be impractical to have that done to one’s entire mouth. (Though I could be wrong) Are there any other ways I can keep from having a “spinach smile” at lunch? Am I doomed to spend my lunch hours sipping clear tea while my friends enjoy regular food? Do other people have this problem?
I have gaps behind my two rear-most molars on top and it’s annoying enough that I sometimes have to slip into the men’s room after eating to floss. But that’s not my whole mouth, and isn’t visible. I am 53 and have some gum recession but it hasn’t increased food trapping.
You might try a swish-and-swallow rinse at meals, though it’s hard to do that subtly.
I can’t give you any advice about possible dental treatments.
Thanks, Cooking, for letting me know I’m not the only one slipping away from the restaurant table. I do try to “swish and swallow”, but it doesn’t help much.
Having given it further thought, it’s NOT only the spaces between the teeth — I am getting food bits stuck on the face of the tooth where it meets the gums too. It’s like I not only have new spaces, but the area along the gum-line is sticky or something.
This never used to happen when I was younger, so it’s definitely related to the middle-aged-receding-gums-and-basically-deteriorating thing. <sigh>
I have the same troubles, and have found that excusing myself to the ladies room at the end of the meal and using a Doctor’s Brush Pick is the only solution.
This was exactly what I was going to recommend as well. I keep a little box in each purse and am rather addicted to them. Unlike other, regular wooden toothpicks, the thin flexibility of the plastic can get into small spots.
Since toothpicking after a meal is fairly acceptable (yet I tend to cover my mouth when I do it), I now have friends who ask me for “those magic toothpicks” when they see me pull out my box.
Thanks, guys. I’ve seen those Brush Picks at the local drugstore — will pick up some today.
Still, I can’t help but wonder whether there’s a dental “fix” for this. I was hoping some dental-types might come along and offer a solution to the problem — or even an explanation. I mean, I won’t sit at a restaurant table and pick my teeth in public, so there’s still the awkward moment of covering my mouth and excusing myself.
I gave it more thought last night. (Maybe I should stop thinking). My periodontist said she figured that I must sleep with my mouth wide open, an action that dries out my gums. I’m wondering if sleeping with my mouth open would result in dried saliva sticking to the faces and sides of my teeth, leaving some sort of film that’s not being removed with regular brushing and then that film is attracting food particles (like an invisible “No-Pest Strip”).
Hee hee, while I’m sleeping?!? I know what you mean, but I’m not sure it would help. I do chew sugarless gum occasionally. Don’t know whether or not it helps with the gums issue.
