Hi, I have a cleft palate and sometimes food gets stuck in my palate, usually I can dislodge it with a toothpick or by gargling water. If it feels like the piece is still there is there anything else I can do to dislodge it, or will it self resolve,any danger of infection?
Hello, If there is a cleft palate, then food lodgment will be a daily based problem. Whatever you will eat will get dislodged into the cleft and along with infection there will be repeated injury to the mucosa in that area. If you are unable to clean the area then the food particles present will cause bacterial overgrowth leading to infection, inflammation, swelling and pain. So, my suggestion is to consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated so that if there is any food debris accumulation then it can be cleaned using fine tweezers and the area can be disinfected. Also, a prosthetic appliance can be fabricated for you so that you can wear it during meals that will avoid food accumulation. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.