Why do My Teeth Hurt After Flossing?
Flossing is an essential element of maintaining good oral hygiene, yet plenty of people have trouble keeping up with it on a regular basis. Often, the reluctance to floss arises as a result of pain, irritation, or general discomfort with the idea.
There are many possible reasons for this happening, and it’s by no means always an indicator of a wider and more serious problem with your teeth. Still, it’s worth trying to get to the bottom of the problem, as this might prevent any further harm later on down the line.
The guide below should offer you some insight into why your teeth might be hurting after flossing, but it’s vital to remember to contact your dentist if your pain is persistent. Oral health is crucial to living a healthy and happy life, so you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence, not when great help is available.
Flossing with Too Much Force
If you floss between your teeth with too much force, you may irritate the gums, leading to inflammation and, ultimately, pain and discomfort.
It may even result in gum recession, which can cause a great deal of mouth damage in the future, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on how much pressure you’re applying every time you floss.
Floss is meant to remove plaque between the teeth and the top of the gum line; there’s no real reason for it to come into hard contact with your gums. In this regard, it’s important to not accidentally hit your gum when you push the floss down between your teeth – a common occurrence that, if it happens regularly, can lead to irritation.
Flossing is a somewhat fairly delicate act that shouldn’t require any excessive pressure on your part, so make sure you take care.
Sensitive Teeth
If you have sensitive teeth, flossing may prove to be painful or uncomfortable. Thankfully, there are a few ways around this.
Sensitive teeth, also referred to as dentin hypersensitivity, generally occur when the enamel on your teeth has worn down, possibly due to excessive consumption of sugary drinks, hard foods, or even just old age.
You can use specialized sensitive toothpaste to help you reduce the impact of the sensitivity, and your dentist should also be able to help you with this.
Reducing your intake of candy, ice cream, alcohol, and coffee may be able to help you negate tooth sensitivity to some extent too.
If you’re worried about going to the dentist, then there’s no need to panic; this is a common position to be in. It’s a position that your Asheville dentist will recognize and accommodate, so don’t hesitate to voice any concerns or anxieties you might have; they’ll do their best to make you feel safe and comfortable at all times.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can be a serious problem, and it needs to be fixed by a professional as soon as possible if you’re suffering from it. Otherwise, you could experience a great deal of pain and various other dental issues in the future. Plus, it can be expensive to fix, so taking a preemptive approach to dental care can be a real money saver.
Flossing is a great way to help mitigate the chance of tooth decay happening, yet unfortunately, decay often arises in the areas that require flossing in the first place, so it’s a common reason for the presence of pain when you floss.
This can range from a dull ache to immense throbbing pain, but pain is relative, so if you suspect you have tooth decay even slightly, it’s worth contacting your dentist as soon as possible. They should be able to help by conducting a deep clean and possibly taking other measures if necessary.
Using the Wrong Floss
If your floss isn’t up to the task, you’re using the wrong tools for an important job. There are many different types of floss, and it might take a bit of trial and error on your part before you settle on the brand that works best for you.
The right floss will likely depend on the shape and layout of your teeth; for example, if you have larger gaps between your teeth, dental tape might be better for you, whereas if you have smaller gaps, waxed floss could potentially do a better job at getting between them without causing you pain.
Speaking of using the right tools, make sure you’ve got the right toothbrush too. Toothbrushes are vital in preventing gum disease and a wealth of dental issues, so finding the right one is a must.
Electric toothbrushes are generally better at removing plaque, and they don’t require you to put as much pressure on them to use (too much pressure from brushing might be why your gums hurt after flossing). Plus, they’re well suited to those with less mobility, such as people with physical handicaps, injuries, or the elderly.
On the other hand, manual brushes are cost-effective, and they’re easy to use and maintain. Both the manual and electric versions have their pros and cons, so take the time to think about what works best for you.
What’s more, rough bristles can cause gum irritation, and if your toothbrush has become rough and scratchy from wear and tear, it may be time to replace it.
Plaque Buildup
If you’ve got too much plaque built up between your teeth, it might be difficult to remove with the equipment you have at home, and it could be the cause of your flossing pain. You may be experiencing bleeding and discomfort when you’re brushing your teeth as a result of this – a situation that can be avoided by remembering to floss regularly.
If you can’t seem to remove plaque even after flossing regularly, it may be an issue with your technique – but this is something that your dentist can assist you with, whether that’s helping you improve your flossing skills, deep cleaning your teeth, using specialized equipment to remove the plaque, or a combination of all the above.
Flossing shouldn’t hurt, so don’t be afraid to talk to your dental professional about any discomfort you’re experiencing; it can help you look after your smile for years to come.