I’ve been flossing usually twice a day, sometimes only once a day, pretty strictly for the past 2 weeks or so. mostly because my grandma bullied me lol. However it still hurts? when does it usually go away?
If it hurts, you might be using a bit too much force
firm but gentle like cleaning the smugde off your phone is how I’d recommend visualizing it
- too aggressive and you’ll destroy your screen, too soft and you’ll never get that smudge off
also like the other commentors have suggested maybe a waterpick could be another option you might want to try
your gums are fucked you need to go to an ass doctor
This will tend to happen if you’re snapping the floss in between each tooth. Use a gentle back and forth motion to slip it between teeth, and slide it against the side of each tooth gently. If it hurts, you’re probably being too rough. Also maybe start with once per day, in the evening.
Try a waterpik, or just go easier on yourself. Also grandma is right, flossing is really good for you and will improve your oral health a lot. I floss basically after every time I eat, it’s just automatic and feels so good to have clean teeth
Waterpiks are great but not really a substitute for flossing
But they’re a great substitute for not flossing, which is what I’d wager most people do
Personally I advocate for having a beard - ready made floss is always at hand.
I do it once a day, which is what my dentist recommends. Usually at night so you don’t go to sleep with stuff in your teeth. Being gentle should prevent it from hurting.
In addition to what everyone else is saying, use a wider tape floss. The narrow string ones tend to sting a bit. Source: me, bought a big roll of the cheaper string type and cat wait to be done with it.
I second this, the wider ones are so much more comfortable to use and do a great job.
I’ve started flossing more times than I can count. You’re RIGHT on the cusp of it stopping hurting.
Some tips: — you don’t need to floss twice a day. — you shouldn’t be using a ton of force, but just do a quick swipe on each surface of the tooth under the gumline. — if you’re still bleeding heavily after 2 weeks consistently (like, mostly red spit after floasing rather than just having a little pink tint to the mostly clear spit), you may have a gum issue that needs a dentist to look into or prescribe a special toothpaste for. — try the “Plackers” brand of toothpick sticks.
Beat of luck!
As a man with thirteen teeth, I wholeheartedly applaud your gran’s tenacity. If your gums are damaged by not flossing, they’ll bleed a lot at first.
Has your dentist recommended a deep cleaning? It’s possible you have tarter under the gum line. That would cause inflammation and lead to more painful flossing. Once my gum disease was in check, they stopped bleeding from my water pick, before that, it was a fountain of gore.
Never.
At least it never has for me, and I’m probably old enough to be your grandfather.
I’ve tried everything - desensitizing toothpastes/mouthwash (though I wouldn’t expect those to help with flossing pain), salt water rinses, every type/brand of floss.
So yea, don’t believe everything medical professionals tell you about how things “should” happen. The operative word there is “should”. As in “usually”, or “most often”.
Everyone is different, so not everything will work the same for everyone. (I can go through a laundry list of meds that work/don’t work/negative side effects/no side effects for individuals in my family. The variability is astounding among a group of genetically similar people).
Best you can do is be consistent with your flossing, find the right type for you (I find the waxed tape style the best for me), brush at least 2x/day (preferably 4x), use the right brush style (generally as soft as will work), replace it regularly, and I found using a modern electric toothbrush helps tremendously (especially the Phillips Sonicare, they have some actual studies behind their efficacy). After going through a few different toothbrushes, the Philips is so effective for me that my annual cleanings have gone from sucking to being a breeze.
Why are you being downvoted? “Never” is the correct answer.
I would suggest try different brands of floss. Some are shit, some too slippery etc etc. Also practice and improve your technique. Personally I found the Colgate floss to be too thick and Oral B is best suited for me.
Also fun fact : the gap between all your teeth may not be same. Some maybe a bit more bunched up, be careful on how much force you apply. Too much force and it’ll go straight to your gums and you’ll end up bleeding.
Last option if you are lazy is use a Waterpik or some other dental water flosser.
Waterpik is not used to floss.
Yes, however part of it is technique: Flossing will probably always hurt if you are just sawing into your gums with string all the time. The idea is to use it to clear stuff off your teeth, so try to get the floss to conform to the curves of your teeth as best you can. If you’re using flossers, consider switching to regular string. They also sell flossing toothbrushes.
However you floss, try to keep it up along with regular brushing using fluoride toothpaste before bed. I brush when I wake up too.
Great advice. I’ve been using flossers lately because of a broken shoulder, and I can definitely tell that the quality of my flossing is lower than it is with regular floss. It’s also harder to be gentle.
Important question: are you bleeding from the gums when you floss?
Healthy gums can handle normal flossing without bleeding. I floss once a day, before bed. Normal flossing does not involve super hard scrubbing, just enough force to scrape off stuff stuck between the teeth and dislodge stuck particles. You might also want to add some antiseptic mouthwash to your routine after flossing until your gums stop bleeding.
After 30 years of being a consistent flosser, and trying everything under the sun, mine still bleed. Multiple dentists in that time have determined gums are healthy.
Twice a day is way too much. Maybe 3 times a week, or less if you’re trying to actually get started and improve the health.
Also, they make little interdental brushes in various sizes that can be much less aggressive when your gums are still very sensitive and inflamed. You should be able to find them at the dental section of your supermarket.
It’ll take a few weeks for your gums to toughen up. Then you can go crazy on the floss if you want.
