DentalHealth #Flossing #GumBleeding #OralCare #HealthyGums
ELI5: Why Do Gums Bleed When Flossing? π€
Ever wondered why your gums bleed when you floss? It’s a common concern! Let’s break it down simply.
What Causes Bleeding Gums? π¨
Plaque Buildup
Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, forms on your teeth. When you don’t remove it:
- Irritates gums
- Leads to inflammation
- Causes bleeding when flossing
Gingivitis
Plaque buildup can cause gingivitis. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Symptoms:
- Red, swollen gums
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
Technique Matters
How you floss is crucial. Poor technique can harm gums. Tips:
- Use a gentle sawing motion
- Avoid snapping the floss
Sensitive Gums
New to flossing? Your gums need time to adjust. Initial bleeding is normal. With consistent flossing:
- Gums strengthen
- Bleeding decreases
How to Prevent Bleeding Gums π¦·
Regular Flossing
Consistency is key! Daily flossing benefits:
- Removes plaque
- Prevents gingivitis
- Promotes healthy gums
Proper Brushing
Combine flossing with good brushing habits. Brush twice daily:
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Replace your brush every 3 months
Healthy Diet
Eat a balanced diet:
- π Fruits & vegetables for vitamins
- π§ Water to keep mouth hydrated
Regular Dental Checkups π¦·
Visit your dentist every six months:
- Professional cleaning
- Early detection of issues
When to See a Dentist π©Ί
Still bleeding after a week of proper flossing? Consult your dentist. Possible reasons:
- Advanced gum disease
- Other health issues
Final Thoughts π
Gum bleeding when flossing is common, especially for beginners. Consistent, gentle flossing leads to healthier gums. Donβt ignore bleedingβmaintain your oral hygiene and consult your dentist if it persists. πͺ₯π
Happy Flossing!
Bleeding indicates that your gums are in poor health. It could be a sign of gum disease. Healthy gums do not bleed when you floss.
Floss more often, at least once a day. If you don’t floss regularly, your gums will bleed as they are not used to this kind of thing. Once you floss for a few days, your gums will build up a tolerance to it and will no longer bleed.
If you notice any especially stinky smells when you floss the first time, this is the smell of tooth decay
Once you floss a few times and keep with it, you will never smell this stinkiness again (and you will have far less tooth decay).
The gums around your teeth have a job. Their job is to hug the tooth really tight to help keep tooth bugs out. When you donβt brush real good the tooth bugs sit on the tooth right above the gum and just poop acid on them till they get mad and red and puffy. Thatβs why itβs important to brush and floss all the bugs off. If they sit there too long without being flossed or brushed off, your spit turns those tooth bugs into stone called tarter and the tarter starts growing on your tooth like barnacles On a dock and imagine trying to hug barnacles! Youβd bleed too.
BECAUSE YOU DON’T FLOSS ENOUGH! The real reason could be due to improper flossing technique. If you are “popping” the floss in and out of the space between your teeth you may be doing damage by going too deep or using too much pressure. The correct technique according to my dentist is to slowly press and work the floss in there and scrape the sides of the teeth with it. This dislodges buildup and can disrupt microbial colonies.
Edit: the first line is a joke
Because you donβt floss often enough or properly. Most people struggle with both. Optimal flossing would be morning and night with string floss (stay away from floss picks) or other implements if you canβt use string for some reason (dexterity, deep recession). The floss shouldnβt go straight up and down but should match the shape of the teeth with a back-and-forth motion as they go snugly into the gum. This will bring your gum infection to a manageable level that allows your gums to be more robust and healthy and the bleeding will stop completely.
Assuming you brush often enough and properly.
Because you don’t floss enough.
Mine bled when I first started too. Once you keep those spaces clean for long enough the gums get more resilient. Scum makes them weak.
Well, if your teeth fit anywhere near as tightly as mine, it’s because it’s physically impossible to insert floss between them without sufficient force to deeply cut your gums. This means you SHOULD NOT FLOSS. Yes whatever it’s usually good but if your teeth fit like that all you’re going to do is literally give yourself constant gum pain with healing wounds. Half the time the floss cuts itself before even getting into the gap and bleeding me. Fuck floss. Never again for me.
Gums that bleed when flossed are weak. When flossed frequently enough (for the purposes of cleaning the teeth), the gums become strong. At that point theyβll no longer bleed when flossed.