If My Gums Bleed, Should I Stop Flossing?

bleeding gums Oklahoma City

This is a key question occasionally asked by patients at OKC Smiles in Oklahoma City. The answer, however, is “No!” Bleeding is probably a sign that you need to watch your dental health by cleaning your teeth and gums more thoroughly—not leave them alone.

It is extremely difficult to clean effectively between teeth without using floss or an interdental brush.

If you have never flossed before, your gums might bleed the first few times you do. The bleeding may be due to gum inflammation, the beginnings of gum disease. Keep flossing gently and the bleeding ordinarily stops within a week or two.

Gingivitis and the more advanced periodontal disease is extremely common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half of American adults aged 30 and over have periodontal disease.

If you don’t make flossing a habit, and your gums become sore, swollen, and tender, it could lead to gum disease. The good news is that, unlike cavities, gum disease can be reversed with improved oral hygiene.

It is important to correctly use dental floss to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth:

  1. Cut a length of floss about 18 inches long.
  2. Securely wind each end around your middle fingers.
  3. Take hold of the floss with your forefinger and thumb leaving about two inches to work with.
  4. Thread the floss between two teeth.
  5. Hold the floss tightly against the side of the tooth and move it up and away from the gumline. You want to clean the space between the tooth and gum without pulling more gum tissue away, so it’s essential to scrape up and out of the pocket.
  6. Move the floss around the tooth to clean every surface—especially those that your brush can’t reach. As you use a section of floss, unwind from one hand to access a clean piece. With 18 inches, you should have enough to provide a clean section for every tooth. If you run out, that’s okay. Just toss the used piece and cut a new one.

Some people find it easier to start on one end on the upper teeth and clean each gap one by one until they reach the end on the opposite side. Then repeat for the bottom row. Whatever operation you select, make sure you clean around every tooth, including the back surfaces of the last molars.

What if you continue flossing for a few weeks and still experience bleeding? Call us at OKC Smiles in Oklahoma City. Your dental health is our primary concern. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry. Call today!

Contact OKC Smiles:

405-634-7303

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

13900 S Western Ave, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
73170

 

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