Medical Health Articles

Ever been caught with remnants of food stuck smack dab in between two teeth? Not so bad if you’re alone and make this discovery. But when caught with a pal, in public, or while trying to make an good impression, a chunk of lodged spinach, while a healthy adornment, can be quite embarrassing. So, what should you do about this sticky situation? Good Housekeeping offers these options. Try to pick the correct solution — then check your answer after the break.

1) Use a fingernail, a toothpick, a fork, or a matchbook to pry it out.
2) Cover your mouth with your napkin, then use your fingernail to work it out inconspicuously.
3) Politely excuse yourself to go to the bathroom.
4) Leave it until after the meal — after all, you’ll survive.

Here’s what Peggy Post says you should do: When you’re the one with the stuck food, you can excuse yourself from the table and remove it in the restroom. “What you can’t do is pry the morsel loose with a fingernail, toothpick, fork, or matchbook cover while you’re sitting at the table,” says Post.

If your dinner companion has the problem, Post says to go ahead and quietly mention it. “It’s kinder than saying nothing, since it’s a problem easily solved,” she says. “If he discovers a piece of spinach in his teeth hours later, he’ll wonder just how long he’s been decorated with it.”