You may have been a diligent flosser for years, considerably to your dentist’s joy, or your goal for this year is to start flossing daily at least. It is not pleasant, regardless of your level of experience, to thoroughly floss your teeth only to find that your gums are hurting all over. In Aliso Viejo, several dental practices provide a wide range of services catering to different dental needs. Contact a dentist in Aliso Viejo for more information.
What does it mean to hurt your gums after flossing, and what should you do?
Even though it is easy to hold the floss accountable for your sore gums, floss is not the culprit. Most people experience discomfort right after flossing. Thinking, “Oh, I flossed, but my gums hurt afterward, so the floss must have injured my gums,” is the typical response. But something a little more complicated is in action here.
Unless your flossing method is entirely off, floss will not damage your gums. The floss likely caused a reaction to some underlying problem in your oral cavity.
Floss may worsen or prolong inflammation in your mouth since it is so tiny and can enter into tight spaces.
Let’s start by listing the possible causes of aching teeth or gums after flossing:
- Improper flossing technique
- Temporary discomfort
- Decaying teeth
- Sensitivity
- Gum disease
Let us now discuss each of these, their severity, and what you can do.
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You are not flossing correctly.
Greetings from the group if flossing is new to you! As a beginner flosser, you most likely did not receive thorough instruction on flossing techniques because, let’s be honest, most dental offices rush you out of the seat and do not have time to go over them.
When you floss improperly, your gums may get swollen, jabbed, or pulled, which may cause them pain. The good news is that if you use the right flossing method, you can avoid the pain:
- With each hand, take out about 18 inches of floss, or the length of your forearm, and wound the ends around two fingers.
- To make sure that every tooth has a clean surface covered with floss, assign roughly an inch of floss to each area. Inadequate use of floss might cause food particles to be transferred from one tooth to another instead of being eliminated.
- Pull the floss straight by pinching it between your fingers to create a space of one to two inches. The floss should then be pushed between teeth using your thumb or index finger.
Your gums should feel as good as rain once you use your new flossing technique for a day or two. If not, keep reading to learn about more issues that could be affecting your gums and hurting after flossing.
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Maybe they are temporary irritations.
Getting a small scratch or burn on your mouth is one of the most common causes of painful gums after flossing. Did you have tea this morning that was very hot? Or bite into a panini that is extra toasty? Cuts and minor burns will heal by themselves in a day or so. It should feel amazing to floss once your mouth heals.
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You have tartar around the gum line.
Tartar around your gums. The plaque will build up on your teeth if there are bacteria that linger there for an extended length of time. Tartar may develop when plaque remains on your teeth and forms either above or below the gum line. Tartar accumulates on top of new plaque, which irritates your gums. The only safe way to eliminate hard tartar buildup near your gum line is to get your teeth professionally cleaned.
Do not stop Flossing!
You should not stop flossing in any situation. Flossing can help even if there is a significant reason for your painful gums.
If you notice a significant issue, getting an appointment with a general dentist can be difficult. The most important thing you can do for your dental health, though, is to brush and floss every day to stop the problem from getting worse, even if you are unable to see your dentist immediately.
