Why Gums Bleed When We Floss

Brushing and flossing isn’t done just to keep your teeth white and your breath smelling fresh, it is performed to remove food remnants and plaque which are the source of gum irritation.

Bleeding after brushing or flossing or at random times may be a sign of unhealthy gums.

If people think bleeding gums is normal, particularly after brushing or flossing their teeth, it is not rather it is usually a signal to change your oral hygiene routine and visit your dentist.

Regardless of the cause, your bleeding gums are a warning sign.

The most common cause of bleeding gums is gum disease. Gum disease can cause the gums to bleed while eating or after brushing or flossing the teeth.

Other causes are more related to lifestyle choices, smoking is another cause of gum disease, as it can impact the body’s immune system and increase the risk of inflammation in the gums.

Ineffective and improper brushing and flossing enables food remnants that are stuck in between teeth and under the gum to remain there.

When you eat food, some gets wedged between teeth and then bacteria feeds off this new source of nourishment causing gums to become more and more inflamed.

Flossing helps remove bacteria and plaque from the gums. Typically, the more you floss, the less your gums will bleed.

Flossing should not cause healthy gums to bleed, as floss is quite gentle and gums can withstand it on a daily routine.

Bleeding gums can be an early warning sign of gum disease. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, but it can lead to a more serious gum disease without proper care.

Dentists in Delhi aim to ensure your teeth and gums are clean and healthy, and check for abnormalities that could be a sign of larger health issues.

Symptoms of gum disease aside from bleeding gums include inflamed or tender gums, bad breath, loose or mobile teeth, receding gums, sensitivity to cold and hot and changes in how teeth fit together while biting.

Gums bleed when flossing for a number of reasons-

• Due to building up of bacteria around a poorly restored filling or crown causing irritation to gum tissue
• A hard deposit called tartar (calculus) present on your teeth
• Due to poor flossing techniques when you floss
• Not brushing your gums properly when brushing your teeth
• Not keeping current with your cleanings

If you only floss once in a while, your gums will bleed when flossing. The tissue between your teeth is not used to being stimulated.

When you floss often and regularly, the gum tissue between your teeth becomes more resilient and stops bleeding when flossed.

Bleeding gums is an inflammatory response.  Bacteria that live in the form of plaque or tartar irritate the gums causing gums to swell and become puffy and bleed when even the slightest amount of pressure is applied (brushing and flossing).

In fact, more diligent home care is needed in such situations to effectively remove plaque from tooth surfaces.

As gum problems remain silent for a long time, dentists in dental clinics in Delhi remind their patients to come for a six monthly check and clean.

The truth of the matter is that your gums bleed when you floss because you might not be flossing as frequently or effectively as needed and the result is bacteria build up causing irritation to the gum tissue.

Toothbrushes help in removing debris from tooth surfaces and from the tongue. Dental floss is the key player when it comes to removing plaque from between teeth and below the gum line a place that bacteria love to hang out.

Without regular flossing the bacteria can irritate the gum, pulling away from the tooth in an attempt to escape the irritation.  In pulling away, gum tissue forms a pocket which becomes an accessible place for bacteria to buildup in.

Flossing gets where toothbrushes can’t. If you are not flossing, you are only cleaning 50% of all the areas in your mouth.

We recommend our patients to floss once a day. If gums bleed when flossing, we recommend flossing after each meal until bleeding subsides in 3-10 days.

The truth of the matter is that it’s not normal for healthy gums to bleed. Bleeding can be a warning sign that there is something wrong with your oral health.

Dentists in India routinely counsel their patients about the importance of good oral hygiene for your overall health.

How to Prevent Your Gums from Bleeding

The best way to prevent bleeding gums is to pay attention to good oral hygiene. This includes brushing the teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and visiting your dentist at least every six months.

Brushing the teeth after every meal may be necessary for people with gum disease, in order to keep the gums as clean as possible and gums from bleeding. It is also important to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Eating healthy, quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding sugary foods and beverages also contributes to good oral health.

Your mouth is a mirror to what’s going on in the rest of your body, often serving as a helpful vantage point for detecting the early signs and symptoms of systemic disease.

Dental clinics in India make sure you are getting regular checkups and cleaning sessions as part of a healthy lifestyle.

If you have bleeding gums during or after flossing or at other random times, make an appointment with your dentist to check your teeth and gum health and determine the right approach to prevention.

                                                                                                               Posted by – Dr Shriya