The dentists have been recommending flossing for ages, and still, many people are guilty of not doing it. Flossing is a great and highly effective way of keeping your teeth healthy and clean. But sometimes it hurts, you grab a string of floss, work your way through your teeth, and ouch! Your gums start stinging.

First thing that comes to your mind? “Flossing teeth hurts,” which makes you wonder if you are correctly flossing, or maybe it might not be worth it to go through that extra pain.

You are not alone, and many people have reported discomfort when flossing. That pain can be a sign of sensitive gums or more. Today, we will unpack why flossing teeth hurts, when it is normal, and when it is not.

The problem doesn’t lie in flossing, but it might lie in the product or your technique. Everyone learns their own ways, it is okay!

What is Flossing? Importance of Flossing

Flossing is a dentist-recommended habit to clean between your teeth. It requires a thin piece of string to remove plaque and leftover food particles from your teeth. Brushing cleans the surface of your teeth, but the crevices and corners often go unnoticed.

Here’s why flossing is important:

• Regular flossing keeps your teeth clean, which means there will be little to no buildup on your teeth. Having a buildup can lead to cavities or infections.
• It helps you fight bad breath as it cleans the leftover food stuck to your teeth.
• Saves your money, making sure to take care of your oral health can help you in bouncing the costly dental checkups or treatments.
• Regular flossing reduces the risks of gingivitis and periodontitis, which are forms of gum disease. [1]

Keep flossing to make sure your oral hygiene is on point! Let’s move on to the section that explains why flossing teeth hurts.

Are you going under wisdom teeth removal soon? You might want to read:

When can I brush My Teeth Before Wisdom Teeth Removal? Teeth 101

Why Flossing Teeth Hurts

Wait, flossing is recommended for everyone, so why does it hurt so much? If it is that good, it should not hurt, right? Well, this is true. The reason flossing might be hurting you is not because of the floss itself, but because of how your gum is. Let’s discuss more.

• If you are a newbie to flossing or do not frequently floss, it can hurt because of the plaque buildup. Less flossing means there is extra buildup that hasn’t been cleaned, which irritates your gums. Hence, the pain and bleeding.
• You might not be correctly flossing, snapping floss against your gums, or forcing it between your teeth can cause injuries or bruises, leading to pain.
• Have you noticed your body gets sore for days after you start working out? It’s similar for your gums when you introduce a new habit to them. The discomfort goes away after a few days of regular flossing.
• Gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis, makes the gums tender. Flossing while having these infections can be more painful than usual.

The flossing hurt is temporary in most cases, flossing is healthy for your teeth. Correct your techniques, and you will be on top of your dental hygiene game. [2]

Flossing Teeth Hurts: Is it Normal?

Yes, it is very normal and especially if you are new to flossing. Many people quit flossing by thinking, “flossing teeth hurts, it is not working for me. “In most cases, it is just your gums reacting to something they are not used to.

When you are introducing a new habit to your body, it takes some time to adjust to it. The good news about it is that it’s temporary. Keep on flossing correctly, the soreness will fade within a week or two. Your teeth will thank you for keeping them healthy!

When Does Flossing Teeth Pain Become Not Normal?

You can expect flossing pain at the beginning or if you are inconsistent with it, but it should not be painful for a long time. If the pain is sharp and doesn’t seem to calm down, it is not normal.

Look for these signs to find if it’s not normal:

• Pain is lasting more than a week, even with correct and gentle technique.
• There is redness or swelling around the gums.
• Floss keeps on getting stuck or shredding.
• You feel pain in one area, not the whole mouth.

These can be some abnormal reasons why flossing teeth hurts. In these cases, there might be a cavity, infection, or a bad flossing technique.

For cases like this, it is best to visit your dentist to check underlying health issues.

Flossing needs to be easy and painless.

Tips to Make Flossing Hurt Less

Flossing teeth hurts, but there are some ways to make it better. You do not need to adjust to the pain, but adjust to a new technique. You can definitely make flossing a comfortable habit.

• Choose a soft, waxed floss that can glide between your teeth easily.
• Be gentle when flossing, do not go back and forth, instead slide it gently and curve it into a “C ”shape to clean better.
• Do not rush your flossing process. This is why flossing teeth hurts, a careful and calm approach helps prevent injury.
• Be consistent if you do not want it to hurt you in the long run. Regular flossing makes your gums healthier and stronger.
• If flossing is hard, try water flossers, soft picks, which are great for sensitive mouths.

With consistency and the right techniques, flossing will become a quick and easy part of your routine in no time!

Conclusion

It is easy to get discouraged when flossing teeth hurts, but the initial pain does not mean it will be painful all the time. Your gums need care, and taking care of your oral hygiene gives them that.

The goal is not to avoid cavities or fresher breath, it is for healthier teeth and gums. You will be helping your body to be healthier when you indulge in habits like this. Don’t let a little pain keep you from building a much-needed lifelong habit that your body and future self will thank you for!

References

University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. (n.d.). Importance of flossing. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/importance-of-flossing/

Sensodyne. (n.d.). Flossing and pain: Why do my teeth hurt after flossing? https://www.sensodyne.com/en-us/oral-health-tips/gum-health/why-teeth-hurt-after-flossing/Sensodyne