8 Reasons Why Your Teeth Hurt After Flossing

If your teeth hurt after flossing, you may not be cleaning your teeth properly. It’s also possible that gum disease or another underlying condition is causing you some discomfort. Rodeo Dental & Orthopedics’ family dentists understand the importance of good oral hygiene and regular flossing. We love providing patients with the education they need to care for their pearly whites.

Do You Have Swollen Gums After Flossing?

Dentists love patients who floss regularly, but you can overdo it. Snapping floss into place and vigorously sawing it back and forth irritates the gums, resulting in inflammation and pain. Instead, slide the floss gently between your teeth and use a slow back-and-forth motion to remove trapped food particles.

Here are some other reasons your teeth hurt after flossing:

You’re New to Flossing

If you haven’t flossed before, your gums and teeth can be sensitive to the new sensation. Go slowly, and don't overdo it; after a few days, you should start seeing a reduction in swollen gums after flossing after a few days. Don’t be afraid to ask us to evaluate your flossing technique. You can even pull up some “how-to” videos on YouTube.

Sensitive Teeth

Some people just have more sensitive teeth than others. We recommend having any tooth sensitivity checked, though, as sensitivity can mean worn tooth enamel and exposed tooth nerves. If this is the case, our family doctors can fix the issue with a filling, root canal, or crown.

You Need an Alternative Flossing Option

Some people simply have no luck using traditional dental floss. It can be tempting to give up when your teeth hurt after flossing, but avoiding flossing increases your risk of gum disease or tooth decay. Instead, try an alternative to regular flossing:

• Water flossing: This technique uses a stream of water to eliminate the bacteria and plaque between the teeth, making flossing easy.
• Interdental Brushes: These are tiny brushes used to clean between the teeth. Interdental brushes are a great alternative to traditional flossing if you have braces.
• Dental Picks: These dental sticks are made of wood or plastic and supposedly remove plaque from your gums and teeth. Compared to other flossing types, dental picks aren’t very beneficial, so it’s better to avoid them.

Gum Disease

While swollen gums after flossing are often due to problems with flossing technique, bleeding gums tell a different story. Bleeding gums after flossing can indicate gum disease, also called periodontal disease. Tooth pain after flossing or brushing may also be a symptom of gum disease. If periodontal disease is caught early, we can treat it using a proper oral hygiene routine and regular dental checkups.

Dental Fillings

After a dental filling, you may experience discomfort in the affected tooth when brushing, flossing, or eating. Filling discomfort should dissipate within a few days. If pain persists, contact your family dentist.

Tooth decay

We brush and floss to remove food particles and prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria that cause infections and tooth decay. Tooth decay often develops between the teeth, exactly where we floss. If you experience intense pain when flossing, please make an appointment to see us as soon as possible to address this issue and get back to pain-free flossing.

Loose Dental Restorations

Crowns, fillings, and other dental restorations loosen over time and eventually need replacing. A loose restoration can expose nerves in the tooth, which do not like being flossed and respond with some significant “peel me off the ceiling” pain. Let our family dentists replace your loose or cracked dental restorations so you can keep on flossing.

Problems with Braces

You may find your teeth hurt after flossing if you just had a braces adjustment. The discomfort is due to the adjustment and will resolve in a few days. Flossing with a permanent retainer takes a little time to master and can cause pain until you adjust to new flossing techniques.

How to Relieve Gum Pain from Flossing

If you experience gum pain after flossing, it’s essential to check in with your family dentist. In the meantime, you can use these techniques to reduce the pain:

• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater several times a day.
• Apply a cold compress to your cheek on the affected side.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication like Tylenol.
• Be gentle when you floss.
• Used waxed floss, which is easier to work with than unwaxed floss.

The most crucial step, of course, is to make regular dentist appointments. Every person is unique, and so are their oral conditions. Your family dentist can determine what is best for your teeth and gums. If you want to learn how to brush or floss your teeth and why you might have pain between your teeth or gums after flossing, contact Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics. To request an appointment, find your nearest office and secure your time online today!