Why do I have pain in teeth and gums after flossing?
Flossing is an essential part of everyone’s oral care routine as the flossing wire is capable of cleaning tiny spaces between the teeth where the brush bristles cannot reach. Do you notice any pain in or around your teeth after flossing? Don’t worry. It is pretty usual, especially for people who just begin flossing whereas such flossing ache implies some underlying dental problems.
If you want the answer to the question “Why do I have toothache after flossing?”, Keep reading this post. We have explained the possible causes of such flossing ache.
1) You are new to flossing
Pain in teeth and gums is a common issue in the initial stage of flossing. As the teeth and gums encounter a new pressure from flossing, they such dilemma. Some of our patients told that they saw mild bleeding in gums when they floss for the first time.
Such bleeding, aching feel in teeth and gums persist until the oral tissues become familiar with the new oral appliance.
2) Wrong flossing techniques
If you encounter flossing ache for a prolonged period, then it may be a symptom indicating you are doing flossing mistakes.
Oral hygienists reveal that if you floss your teeth with extensive force (or floss roughly), the flossing wire will damage and irritate the gum tissues. The injured region is further wounded every time you floss. Such gum irritations will happen if you floss too long for a period.
We advise our patients to be gentle and don’t strike the teeth hard with flossing wires to avoid such injuries. If you don’t aware of the right flossing technique, ask your dentist or dental hygienist for instructions.
3) Sensitive Teeth
Besides improper flossing activities, certain tooth and gum problems also lead to flossing aches. In simply, toothache and bleeding in gums after flossing may be a symptom of dental disorders.
Teeth sensitivity is also a reason behind such aching feel after flossing. When the enamel layer becomes weak and unveiling the sensitive layers beneath it, the teeth provokes a sharp pain when it is exposed to a foreign object.
We recommend that visit your dentist if you encounter such pain in your teeth after flossing while eating and even drinking water. It is because you might have sensitive teeth.
4) Gum disease
Similar to teeth sensitivity and cavities, infection in gums also cause intense pain after flossing. If you encounter bleeding in gums while flossing, it may be a sign of gingivitis.
The infection in gums begins with the accumulation of bacteria on teeth around the gum margins. In-office dental cleanings will prevent such infections. If you do not treat gum diseases on time, they will progress and reach an advanced stage called “Periodontitis”.
5) Weak dental restorations
Dental restorations like fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges, and other appliances have a limited lifespan. When those restorations become old, they tend to loose and unveil the sensitive layers that provoke sharp pain.
Replacing the cracked fillings or damaged crowns with a new one is the appropriate way to fix such kind of flossing pain.
Bottom line
Aching feel in teeth and gums after flossing is not an uncommon thing but you should give attention if it exists for a while. Keep in mind that if you encounter various oral discomforts along with flossing pain, it might be a sign of dental illness.
We recommend our patients not to give up flossing even if they find it hard to clean their teeth with flossing wire. If you are one of such people, then switch to alternative appliances like interdental brushes, water flossers, or dental pick.
