How to Stop Bleeding Gums when Flossing?

How to stop your gums bleeding when you floss 

Sore gums when you floss? Maybe you’re new to the habit or are just taking a sporadic approach to your oral routine. Either way, bleeding gums are a sign that you need to floss more. Here’s how to improve the habit. 

Why do you need to floss? 

Flossing can be a hard habit to stick to. Not only do you have to remember to do it but if your gums are sore, sensitive or bleed when the floss touches the gums, it can even be painful. This can lead to a lot of frustration. After all, you've made the effort to try and start a healthy habit only for your gums to cry in protest.  

Before you take sensitive gums as a sign to stop flossing, consider this. Skipping your daily floss is a bit like neglecting to wash your armpits when you shower. Sure, the rest of you is clean – but you’ve also missed a very important step.  

Our teeth, mouth and gums come into contact with every piece of food you chew and everything you drink each day. That’s a lot of food particles and sugar coating our teeth. That’s why it's important to brush in the morning and at night. But what about all the little bits of food that fall between the cracks? They produce bacteria that your toothbrush just can’t reach. 

Why do my gums bleed when I floss? 

There are a few reasons why your gums might bleed after flossing. 

You don’t floss very often 

If you only floss every now and then, your gums might be inflamed (from plaque and hidden bacteria) and could feel sensitive to start off with. The main course of action is to floss more regularly. If they’re still sensitive after a few weeks of daily flossing you might need to see a hygienist to fix the underlying problem. 

You’re using unwaxed floss 

There’s no right or wrong type of floss you should be using, but waxed floss is a bit more comfortable than unwaxed floss as it slides between your teeth a bit more easily. You might also prefer the soft, fluffy kind – sometimes called ‘sponge floss.’ Whatever type of floss you choose make sure you use it every day. 

You’re flossing too hard 

You don’t need to pull down hard on the floss for it to be effective. Gentle glide the floss against the side of your tooth and sweep it in a ‘C’ motion towards your gums. Try being a bit more gentle and see if that helps stop the bleeding. 

You’ve got early signs of gum disease 

If you’re flossing every day and have tried the advice above and your gums still bleed, you could have early signs of gum disease. The best course of action now is to book an appointment with a dental hygienist. A thorough clean and polish will help remove stubborn plaque and tartar. Combined with regular flossing you should see improvements in your gum health. 

How to floss more often 

Flossing every day can be a hard habit to stick with. If you’re struggling, try some of these tips. 

Find the right tool for you 

Water pick, disposable floss picks, soft fluffy mint dental floss. What you use to clean the gunk out of your teeth is up to you. If you’re struggling with making regular flossing a thing, add some new tools into your routine and see what happens.  

Floss at a time that works for you 

You might have been told to floss your teeth in front of the bathroom mirror, but bad lighting, a cold bathroom or a desire to just get out of the door might be stopping you from creating the habit. Try flossing at a time of day when you feel more relaxed. It could be while you boil the kettle or while you’re in the shower.  

Keep your floss in plain sight 

When it comes to not-very-fun habits, out of sight is out of mind. Keep your floss somewhere you can see it (rather than in the bathroom cabinet.) This could be in the console of your car, your handbag, on your desk or near a well-lit mirror. Seeing your floss every time you sit down or walk to the bathroom might help create the habit. 

Set a reminder on your phone 

This might feel like a basic tip, but have you tried it? It can take 30 days to create a habit. Setting a reminder for just a month might make it stick. 

Book an appointment with a dental hygienist 

If you’re worried about sensitive or bleeding gums book an appointment with a dental hygienist for a clean and polish. A professional cleaning will remove plaque and tartar from between the teeth and along the gum line. Removing this buildup will help the overall health of your teeth but you’ll still need to floss every day.