Why does every meal feel like a battle with food getting stuck?

Dental Care & Oral Health
1

I’ve always taken decent care of my teeth. Nothing spectacular, but I brush twice a day and floss when I remember. But lately, turning sixty-two seems to have opened up these tiny canyons between my molars that never used to be there. Last Saturday, my husband and I went out to a local bistro with another couple we haven’t seen in months. I ordered the roast beef, which was delicious, but halfway through the main course, I felt it. A tiny sliver of beef got wedged right between my upper back molars. It wasn’t just annoying; it started to actually ache from the pressure.

I spent the rest of the dinner trying to be subtle, using my tongue to dislodge it, which probably made me look like I was making strange faces at our friends. I didn’t want to get up and go to the bathroom for the third time, and I certainly didn’t want to whip out a toothpick at the table. By the time we got home, my gum in that area was red and throbbing. I finally got it out with some waxed floss, but the area stayed sore for two days. It’s reached a point where I’m actually nervous to eat certain things in public. Steak, popcorn, even certain greens like spinach are becoming a gamble.

I mentioned it to my dentist last month, and he just called it a “food trap” caused by some slight shifting and gum recession. He suggested I just “keep it clean,” but that’s easier said than done when you’re at a wedding or a business lunch. I feel like I’m carrying a miniature pharmacy in my purse now just to handle a simple meal. Is this just what happens as we get older? I’ve looked into getting the gap closed, but one dentist told me it might require a new crown, which seems like a lot of money for a piece of meat getting stuck once a week.

What would you do in this situation? Do you just accept that you have to carry floss picks everywhere you go, or is there a more permanent dental fix that actually works? I’m tired of the “tongue gymnastics” at the dinner table and the constant fear of a piece of broccoli ruining my evening. Any advice from those who have dealt with these gaps would be much appreciated. I really want to enjoy my meals again without checking the mirror every five minutes.

14 Likes
2

I’m 65 and going through the exact same thing. It’s like my teeth decided to move apart the minute I retired. I’ve started carrying those little GUM soft-picks in my pocket everywhere I go.

3

Have you tried interdental brushes? They are much easier to use discreetly than traditional floss. I usually just excuse myself to the restroom after the main course to clear things out.

4

My dentist actually did a procedure called bonding to close a gap that was catching everything. It wasn’t as expensive as a crown and it has held up for three years now. Might be worth asking about.

5

I had a similar issue with sensitivity and gum irritation. I started using ProvaDent because it has probiotics and that BioFresh complex to help the oral biome. It really helped my gums feel firmer and less reactive when things do get stuck.

6

The ‘tongue gymnastics’ comment made me laugh because I do the exact same thing! It’s so frustrating when you’re trying to have a serious conversation and all you can think about is a piece of cilantro.

7

I gave up on the discreet route. If I’m with friends, I just tell them ‘hold on, my teeth are eating my dinner’ and use a pick. We’re all at the age where someone has a back ache or a hearing aid anyway!

8

Be careful with those gaps. If food stays there too long, it can cause a localized infection. I ended up needing a deep cleaning because I let a food trap go for too long.

9

A Waterpik at home is a godsend for the end of the day, but it doesn’t help at the restaurant. I carry a small travel kit in my car.

10

I had a crown replaced specifically to close a food trap. It was expensive, but honestly, the peace of mind while eating out was worth every penny to me.

11

Is it possible you have some bone loss? Shifting teeth in your 60s sometimes points to that. You might want a second opinion from a periodontist just to be safe.

12

I just stopped ordering steak in public. It’s sad, but it saves me the headache. I stick to softer foods when I’m out and save the ‘difficult’ foods for home.

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