Have you ever had a little piece of food stuck between your teeth that nothing seems to get out? You floss, brush, swish, and try every trick you can think of.

My coworker had a popcorn kernel stuck between hers. It got so painful that she finally went to the dentist. He told her that, next time, she should tie a knot in her dental floss. It gives something more to grab onto and gets the food out more easily.

I just had something caught between mine a few minutes ago. Gave the hint a try and got it out! It actually works.

Remember this, if you ever had the occasion to use it!

Good tip Linda. Now allow me to embarass myself! I have used an elastic band for the same purpose. Stretch is out thin and hold it like floss, get between teeth, like floss, and let the tension off the band and wiggle it a bit, or stretch and slacken the rubber band as required as you slide it through. The rubber tastes a bit gross, but it works. I suppose you could boil the band first if you're picky!

You'd have to be careful to keep a tight grip on it and hope it doesn't snap. It wouldn't half hurt if it twanged!

A straightened out paperclip - it works for me

LOL! Can you say "gum damage", Sue?!

a Hammer works best! - you will never have that trouble again!

OUCH, ace!

I have used cross stitch floss if I have been out where I can't get ahold of dental floss. I usually keep a small project (Christmas ornament sized) in my purse so I have something to do if I have to wait anywhere, so I generally have thread for any emergency. It may not be the right color for what I need to sew (or put a button back on), but any color is better than embarassment red!

If I am home I have a brush which is specially designed to go between teeth, sort of a mini bottlebrush.

.....wooden toothpick or when at work a T pin!

Oww! A wooden toothpick is said to be VERY HARD on your gums. Very bad.

My brother-in-law used to use (when he smoked) the plastic wrapping around the cigarette package, folded up, to get between his teeth. Strange and dont know what made him think of it but it worked.

Being a big popcorn fan, I have often had sharp popcorn shells caught someplace painful -usually wedged in between two molars. The good part is, even though your gum may swell a bit and be painful, as long as you keep the area clean and brushed - the shell always works it's way out in day or so, much as a splinter would.

I amaze and disgust my family (I wouldn't do it in front of anyone else) by my inventiveness when no toothpick is available. Easy cases can be remedied by the edge of a piece of writing paper, or a sweet wrapper, though occasionally I admit to trying the prong of a fork for larger items. I hope my dexterity is adequate to avoid any injuries but do prefer standard wooden toothpicks whatever they say about them they never did me any harm, unlike dental tape which is the best crown remover in dentistry.