Flossing is an essential part of good oral hygiene but sometimes it may cause gums to bleed. When this happens it can be cause for alarm but it is quite common. There are several reasons that gums might bleed when flossing from improper flossing technique or infrequent flossing to more serious gum disease issues. In this article we explain the reasons gums may bleed when flossing, how flossing technique impacts bleeding, potential treatments, when to see a dentist and how to prevent bleeding gums.
What is Bleeding Gums From Flossing?
Flossing is the process of sliding dental floss between the teeth and down to the gumline to remove excess food or debris which can cause plaque and tartar buildup. Sometimes this action can cause gums to appear red, swollen and bleed. Bleeding gums are when bleeding occurs in the mouth or gums which can also appear inflamed and dark red. Bleeding from flossing will be noticed on the dental floss and in the mouth around the gum and tooth area.
Reasons Gums Bleed When Flossing
Sometimes the reason gums bleed is simply infrequent or improper flossing technique. Other times it might be a sign of something more serious. We explain every potential reason for bleeding gums here.
-
- Infrequent flossing: Flossing infrequently can cause plaque and tartar to build up, resulting in inflammation. Most of the time, bleeding when you floss is a sign you should be flossing more. Occasional flossing can cause gums to bleed as they are not as resilient to the movement from the flossing process. The Australian Dental Association says we should floss once a day. For those with severe gum disease, a dentist may recommend more regular flossing.
- Improper flossing technique: Using too much force and pushing floss into the gum too hard is not the correct way to floss and can cause gum irritation and bleeding. Be gentle on teeth and gums when flossing. Take your time to gently remove plaque from between the teeth and along the gumline.
- Gum disease: Gums that bleed when flossing could be caused by gum disease like gingivitis or periodontitis. Gum disease is a serious condition where the gums or gingiva become inflamed and tender. A buildup of plaque and tartar irritate the soft tissue around the teeth that helps keep the teeth in place and protects the underlying jawbone.
- Gingivitis is a sign that gum disease may be occurring as the gums become inflamed and bleed with brushing or flossing. When left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis. With periodontitis, the pockets become deeper in the gums and fill with plaque and tartar which causes inflammation, bleeding, inflammation, receding gums, and bone loss.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies like lack of vitamin C and vitamin K can cause gums to bleed when flossing. A severe lack of vitamin C is known as scurvy. Vitamin C is responsible for collagen production which is a key component of gum tissue. Without enough vitamin C, gums may become weak and susceptible to bleeding. Vitamin K helps keep tooth enamel hard as it allows calcium to be deposited on the teeth. Without adequate vitamin K, teeth may become weak and less resistant to acid that causes plaque and tartar buildup, resulting in bleeding gums.
- Medical conditions: Medical conditions can sometimes be the cause of bleeding gums from flossing. Diabetes is a medical condition that reduces blood flow to the gums, making them more prone to infection from bacteria that can cause bleeding. People with leukaemia often have bleeding gums because the disease causes gum inflammation. People with pernicious anaemia (lack of b12) are more likely to have periodontitis symptoms like gum bleeding than those with the normal levels. HIV weakens the immune system which can also lead to sore, swollen and bleeding gums.
- Medications: Medications like blood thinners reduce the ability for blood to clot, making bleeding more likely. Chemotherapy also increases the risk of bleeding. Even some antibiotics like amoxicillin can cause redness and inflammation that leads to gum bleeding.
- Trauma: Gums may be more likely to bleed after teeth cleaning or a dental procedure as these procedures can cause some trauma to the gingiva. In the same way, people with dentures that do not fit properly can experience gum bleeding because of the friction that occurs on the gums.
- Pregnancy gingivitis: The hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause pregnancy gingivitis, which exaggerates the body’s response to plaque. In the same way as regular gingivitis, pregnancy gingivitis can result in swollen, red and bleeding gums after flossing.
When To See A Dentist for Bleeding Gums From Flossing
If you have bleeding gums from flossing you should generally go and see a dentist, particularly if it lasts for two weeks or more. Bleeding gums from flossing could be a sign of an underlying health condition. To assess when to see a dentist for bleeding gums from flossing, consider whether it is initial bleeding, persistent bleeding and any additional symptoms.
- Initial bleeding: If you floss too hard and gums start to bleed once or twice, this initial bleeding is not too concerning. Usually initial bleeding is light and stops quickly so there is no need to race to the dentist. Sometimes gums take a little while to get used to a flossing routine and some light bleeding is expected. This initial bleeding should stop within a minute or two and not continue any longer than two weeks.
- Persistent bleeding: Gums that bleed persistently for more than two weeks could be a sign of gingivitis or an underlying health condition so it is important to consult with a dentist. Your dental professional will assess the cause of the gum bleeding by performing a physical examination. Using a special probe, the dentist will check the depth of the pocket for signs of gum disease. The dentist may order X-rays and occasionally blood tests to help determine a treatment plan.
- Additional symptoms: Any additional symptoms like pus between the teeth and gums, loose teeth, receding gums, or bad breath are all signs of potential gum disease. In conjunction with bleeding gum symptoms, if any of these issues are present, it is important to seek dental advice.
Treatment for Bleeding Gums From Flossing
The treatment for bleeding gums from flossing will depend on the cause. If flossing is too hard or inconsistent with no other underlying issues, it is just a matter of changing the technique or consistency. If the bleeding is from an underlying condition like gum disease, treatment will vary depending on the severity. We explain each cause and its potential treatment here:
Professional Treatment
- Gum disease: Gum disease treatment will always include an aspect of professional care. The type of treatment will depend on the severity and how advanced it is.
Gingivitis treatment will include:
-Scale and clean where the dentist removes tartar and plaque with a scaler.
-Root planning is when the dentist deep cleans the teeth and below the gumline to smooth the tooth roots.
-A course of oral antibiotics.Periodontitis treatment will include:
-Pocket reduction surgery that deep cleans the gum tissue by separating the gum from the tooth.
-Bone grafts which use bone material to fill in areas where bone is missing or deficient.
-Soft tissue grafts where soft tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth and grafted to the gumline.
Home Treatment
- Antiseptic mouthwash can be used every day which helps reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.
- Brushing teeth twice a day and flossing once a day is a good preventative.
- Use toothpaste like paradontax that is specially designed for bleeding gums.
How To Stop Bleeding Gums From Flossing
Depending on the cause for bleeding gums, there are a number of ways to stop your gums from bleeding from flossing.
- Improve Flossing Technique: The best way to improve flossing technique is to floss gently using a string floss. Dentists recommend wrapping the floss around the forefinger, making a C shape beside the tooth and moving the floss up and down gently slightly below the gums.
- Try a floss alternative: Floss alternatives include water flosses, floss picks, and interdental brushes. Some of these alternatives can be beneficial for those experiencing bleeding gums from regular string floss. Water floss is also known as oral irrigators and uses a stream of water to clean between teeth. Floss picks are disposable tools with a toothpick handle and floss in between which makes them easy to manoeuvre. You can also try the interdental brushes which are small brushes designed for cleaning in between the teeth.
- Improve oral hygiene: By improving oral hygiene, the risk of bleeding gums from flossing is minimised. This means regular brushing and flossing and regular dental visits.
- Treat gum disease: Gum disease conditions require a treatment plan from a dental professional. This may include everything from simple scale and clean, root planning, and antibiotics to surgical procedures like pocket reduction surgery and bone grafts.
- Adapt healthy lifestyle: Improving your lifestyle has an impact on oral health too. Adapt a healthy lifestyle by eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, avoid sugary foods, drink plenty of water, and partake in regular exercise.
- Avoid smoking: By avoiding smoking, you decrease the likelihood of bleeding gums as your oral health will be improved. When people smoke it is harder to fight bacteria as the immune system is lowered which allows plaque to form on the gumline.
Sometimes gums may bleed from flossing and it can be quite common. However, it is important to seek professional advice if bleeding gums continue however as it may be a sign of a more serious underlying issue. In this article we have explained why gums may bleed after flossing, when to see a dentist and how to stop bleeding gums from flossing. Hawthorn Road Family Dental is always on hand to help with any questions about bleeding gums and flossing.
