Editing Toothache (section)

=====Food impaction=====
[[Image:Open contact.jpg|thumb|An [[open contact]] of approximately 1.5 mm shown between two posterior teeth.  The meat, at right, was recovered from the open contact more than 8 hours after the person had last eaten meat, even though they had brushed the teeth twice since.]]
Food impaction occurs when food debris, especially fibrous food such as meat, becomes trapped between two teeth and is pushed into the gums during chewing.<ref name=Scully2013 />{{rp|125–135}} The usual cause of food impaction is disruption of the normal [[embrasure (dentistry)|interproximal contour]] or drifting of teeth so that a gap is created (an [[open contact]]). Decay can lead to collapse of part of the tooth, or a dental restoration may not accurately reproduce the contact point. Irritation, localized discomfort or mild pain and a feeling of pressure from between the two teeth results. The gingival papilla is swollen, tender and bleeds when touched. The pain occurs during and after eating, and may slowly disappear before being evoked again at the next meal,<ref group="nb">This pattern of pain should be distinguished from the "meal time syndrome" of certain [[salivary gland disease]]s.</ref> or relieved immediately by using a tooth pick or dental floss in the involved area.<ref name=Scully2013 />{{rp|125–135}} A gingival or periodontal abscess may develop from this situation.<ref name="Carranza11th"/>{{rp|444–445}}