Gums Bleed When Flossing?
Do your gums bleed when you are flossing? Are you noticing a pink or red tinge on your dental floss? Perhaps you see a tinge of pink in the water when you spit after brushing and flossing? Maybe you’re experiencing the taste of blood in your mouth after flossing, as well. As long as the bleeding isn’t severe, there’s no need to panic — however, gums bleeding when you floss is definitely a cause for concern. If you’re bleeding after you floss your teeth, be sure to set up an appointment with Dr. Brazdo at Artistic Touch Dentistry as soon as possible. In the meantime, you should practice the following tips to protect your teeth and gums.
Changing Your Dental Care Routine if You Experience Gum Bleeding
Changing your dental care routine — even making minor changes — can really help you get control of bleeding while you floss. If your gums bleed when flossing it doesn’t indicate a major problem, at least not right now, but it might develop into a major issue later.
Start with simple changes. Don’t floss many times throughout the day, as this can aggravate your gums and make the bleeding worse. Start flossing no more than once a day until you see the dentist to learn why the problem is happening.
Your gums may be bleeding for a number of reasons. Plaque or even tartar buildup can occur around your gums, in particular between your teeth and along your gumline. As you floss, it can chip away some of the plaque and tartar, but it also aggravates your gums and makes you bleed in many cases.
When you’re flossing your teeth, be extra careful to apply only minimal pressure, and never floss over an area after it starts bleeding. When you notice your gums bleeding while flossing, take a break and splash cool water in your mouth. Rinse your mouth out with water and swish it around until the water is clear when you spit it out.
Never use mouthwash immediately after your gums bleed when you are flossing. Mouthwash can contain chemicals that can really sting or even cause serious pain in your still-delicate gums. Even though you might feel like mouthwash is the only way to really kill the bacteria in your mouth, that’s simply not the case in most situations. Be sure to brush carefully and thoroughly to keep bacteria at bay.
Another way to prevent further irritation when your gums bleed when you are flossing is to switch to a soft bristle toothbrush with a small or medium head size. Many people assume that a hard bristle brush is the only way to really get all the plaque off your teeth, but in reality, a hard bristle brush will only irritate your gums. It could also cause you to lose enamel more quickly. A soft bristle brush is appropriate to use at all stages of life — from toddlerhood all the way through geriatric years.
The Best Way to Combat Bleeding Gums: Your Regular Dental Visits
In addition to using the smart anti-bleeding flossing tips listed above, you need to make sure to see Dr. Brazdo on the recommended schedule to keep your gums and teeth as healthy as possible. Most patients need to see the dentist for a check-up every six months, and twice-yearly cleanings are also recommended in most cases as well.
Of course, if you experience an urgent dental problem like a knocked-out tooth or serious tooth pain, you should get in touch with Dr. Brazdo right away, as well. You won’t have to worry about major dental problems if you take the steps necessary to protect your oral health today and in the future.
The team at Artistic Touch Dentistry in Melbourne, Florida offers a wide range of dental care, including check-ups, dental cleanings, restorations of all types, sealants, dental bridges, dental implants, dental crowns, tooth extractions when needed, and much more.