| It's not unusual for small food particles — especially hard particles such as popcorn hulls — to get underneath the gum and irritate the tissues. If the food particle is not removed and the irritation goes on long enough, the area may get infected. What You Can Do
If you feel something wedged under the gum, try using dental floss to remove it. If this doesn't help, take a toothpick and gently run it around the gum line. You may be able to dislodge the particle. You have to be careful, however, that you don't hurt your gum with the toothpick or accidentally push the particle deeper under the gum. What Your Dentist Will Do
If you can't remove a foreign body yourself, it's important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist has specialized tools for reaching into tight spaces. Also, he or she will examine the area to ensure that it's clean and free of infection. ©2002-2005 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved. Reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine | 
