How Do You Fix a Food Trap Between Your Teeth?

If you often find yourself unable to properly clean between your teeth, it's possible you have a food trap. A food trap occurs when food gets stuck between your teeth, remains trapped there, and begins to decay. Fortunately, food traps can be easily fixed. It's usually caused by missing or undersized teeth, but other issues, such as a tongue thrust disorder, can cause it to develop as well. This can leave your teeth vulnerable to things like plaque buildup and decay. Eventually, the teeth can shift and become crooked over time if the condition is not corrected.

What Are Food Traps Caused By?

A food trap is an area of your mouth where food gets stuck after eating. It happens when your teeth have overlapping or crooked edges, which can make cleaning difficult. Food can also get stuck between two teeth that are misaligned or have some type of gap in their surface.

Food that gets trapped between your teeth can cause plaque and bacteria to build up, which can lead to tooth decay. Over time, the food trap can cause you to experience tooth pain and even tooth loss if left untreated. The good news is that you can easily fix a food trap using a dental sealant.

How to Fix a Food Trap?

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that your dentist can apply to the chewing surfaces of your molars. The sealant creates a smooth surface that's easy to clean and prevents cavities from forming in between the teeth. Sealants also prevent food and liquids from getting trapped in the crevices of the teeth and causing decay.

Typically, patients receive dental sealants between the ages of six to 14. However, adults whose teeth haven't received any dental care can benefit from getting dental sealants as well.

Getting dental sealants is one of the easiest preventative treatments you can receive for your oral health. All you have to do is come into our office for a cleaning and examination. Then we'll clean your teeth to remove any buildup that might be occurring between your teeth. After that, the dentist will apply the sealant to all pits and grooves of your tooth's surfaces. It will last for several years before needing to be reapplied.

Regular brushing and flossing can also help prevent food traps from happening. In addition to staying on top of your oral hygiene routine at home, you should visit your dentist twice a year for examinations and professional cleanings. These appointments are vital in preventing cavities and other health issues that affect your teeth and gums. If it's been longer than six months since your last appointment, contact our office now to schedule an appointment with our team.

To learn more, contact Healthy Smiles of Saint Louis at 4224 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63109, or call (314) 832-1366.