Why Do Your Teeth Or Gums Hurt More After Beginning Flossing?
Flossing is a necessary part of caring for your teeth and gums, though not everyone actually does it. If you've decided that you want to start flossing, either due to the direction of your dentist or just based on your own choices, it's a great step to take towards improved gum and tooth health. However, the road to getting started with flossing isn't always easy. If you're not happy because your teeth or gums seem to be uncomfortable during or after flossing, then here's a look at three of the most likely causes of your problems.
Temporary Sensitivity
One possibility, particularly if your sensitivity is entirely or primarily based on your teeth, is that you're simply not used to normal sensations on your teeth just yet.
Think about the last time you had your teeth professionally cleaned. Chances are that for a little while, sensations from things like drinking cold beverages, running your tongue over your teeth, or brushing them felt a little stronger. After a while, this feeling likely went away and things felt normal again.
With flossing, you're stripping away plaque from the surface of your teeth and gums. This plaque film dulls sensations on your teeth, like putting a layer of plastic wrap over your fingers before touching something. If you continue to floss and the sensations don't become more normalized or you're still feeling uncomfortable, then one of the next two issues may be to blame.
Enamel Loss
One possibility is that you've lost some enamel on the edges of your teeth. This is unfortunately common when people don't floss, as the plaque that can build up between teeth can morph into tartar, which is very harmful to tooth enamel.
Once the plaque is stripped away, this weakened enamel doesn't do as good a job of protecting the interior of your teeth (where the nerves are) from sensations and harm. This can make everything from flossing itself to eating feel uncomfortable.
Gum Disease
Lastly, it's possible that gum disease is to blame for your problem. Early stage gum disease can often be reversed through flossing, though it may take some time for your body to beat the infection after you get started. However, if you have a more advanced form of gum disease, it will need to be treated by a dentist.
One great way to get started flossing is to do so right after having had a cleaning at a dentist's office. This ensures that your teeth are healthy and that there's minimal plaque or tartar getting in the way of the process or making you feel uncomfortable while you try to floss.
Contact a local dentist if you have questions about flossing.
Share
