Many people have tried flossing but sometimes quit since they continue to have bleeding gums. Hindrances like these can become a dental health problem since food debris can get stuck in between teeth. Dental practices are essential to learn, starting at an early age to prevent cavities and gum disease. You can also read advice by Gordon Family Dental practice about the correct maintenance of braces and dentures. Some people have difficulties in flossing with an orthodontic appliance in their teeth. Braces, implants, and partial dentures can cause gums to hurt after flossing. You may be curious for more information about the reasons why gums hurt after flossing, so read more on this page.
Essential Dental Routines For A Healthy Mouth
Dental health is one of the necessities that people need to maintain every day. Cleaning your teeth is necessary since it prevents gum disease and tooth decay. At an early age, children are taught by their parents to brush their teeth. However, as we age, dental routines may change. Individuals can even forget the proper technique in brushing, flossing, and rinsing their mouth. A clean mouth is not just to make your painful discomfort when smiling go away. Plaque, germs, and dirt can make the gums bleed frequently. It is only through the best dental routines that can make a person’s oral health care optimal.
Why Do Gums Hurt After Flossing?
Is it irritable for you to have gums that hurt after flossing at night? Disruptions like clenching your gums or headaches can lead to sleeping disorders. You may want to discover how to reduce gum pain and toothaches. But, before going into that detail, you should check the six reasons why gums hurt after flossing. Above all, remember to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval for these dental items.
First Time Flosser
If you are a teenager or a young adult with no experience in using a string of dental floss, you may face swollen gums for a few times. However, with the right technique, the gums may not hurt anymore. It is also vital for people to buy products that can introduce flossing for the gums. Dentists recommend checking which type of floss to use before purchasing it. Some examples of flosses are wax, unwoven, electric and nylon. However, other floss categories are meant for children and initial floss.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can also be a cause of sore gums. Dentists say that tooth sensitivity may come from the dental products that irritate the nerves and tissue in both the gums and pulp. Sensitive teeth can also come from other debris inside the teeth such as broken tooth or loose fillings from root canal therapy.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth
Dislodged food and debris can be one obstruction in the gum line and teeth. Yet, dental emergency such as a cracked or chipped tooth can also cause your gum to hurt during and after flossing. Treatment for a cracked or chipped tooth may require you to save the piece or extraction if it is due to accident or injury.
Hormonal Changes
Women may have a different issue when it comes to an inflamed gum. During monthly periods, hormones can influence the bloodstream in the gums. Pregnancy may have a higher chance to lead to gingivitis due to not having dental work on the latter trimester stage. Medications and other supplements for people with hormonal changes can also either cause blood to be thin and have potential risks in your blood flow. Consult your OB-GYN or pediatric doctor for prenatal care.
Orthodontic Appliances
Sometimes the reason why gums hurt after flossing is not due to the floss but by the wires and brackets that your braces have. A loose wire, crown, or bracket is dangerous if it pokes the soft tissues that can be the site for bacterial infection. An orthodontist is the only professional with expertise in returning these appliances. However, if you have dentures or removable retainers, you can place it on the trays before visiting your orthodontic specialist.
Too Much Brushing Or Flossing
If you’re a person who brushes their teeth on a consistent routine, then you are observing the right hygiene practice. However, too much force in cleaning or repeated brushing every after two or more hours can cause your enamel and dentin to break away. This issue causes recession and exposing your roots for dental abscess and bacteria. Moreover, a toothbrush with hard bristles can always damage the tissues in the gums. A Waterpik water flosser can help irrigate the debris instead of using nylon or stringed dental floss.
Quick Flossing Tips:
- Don’t forget to close or seal the cap of the floss to prevent bacteria
- Set a reminder for flossing
- Take your time when flossing, don’t snap the string
- Consider getting treatment for crowded teeth or malocclusion
- Be generous while cutting your stringed floss
When Should I Know If Pain From Flossing Is An Emergency?
If you keep on experiencing the same pain from the gums even without flossing, you may want to check your mouth in the mirror. Several symptoms of gum disease can be subtle. Notably, not all individuals can distinguish how gums hurt after flossing from impending gum inflammation. If you see some of these signs below, you should visit your trusted dentist immediately:
- Teeth grinding while sleeping
- Disruptions during sleep due to toothache
- Dislocated tooth after flossing the gum line
- Sharp pain with bumps and swelling in gums
- Gums that bleed after brushing
Reminders During Emergency
You should always have a first aid kit for any medical or dental emergency. Not all clinics or hospitals can offer services related to dental emergencies. Hence, it may be best to check out which clinics are open 24/7 or after regular hours to prevent health complications.
