Last night I watched a movie, ate some popcorn, and got one of those pesky kernels stuck in my teeth. After aggressively fishing it out, I noticed my gum was bleeding a bit. That got me thinking about one of our most common questions from patients: “Why does flossing make my gums bleed?”
Generally, flossing should not cause your gum to bleed. If it does, consider it an early sign of periodontal (gum) disease and get yourself to a hygienist.
Flossing is important. When you brush and skip flossing, you miss cleaning 35% of your teeth. The harmful bacteria that is left behind causes irritation and inflammation. If left untreated, the bacteria can get into your bloodstream or cause irreversible jaw bone damage.
So the short answer is “No”. Flossing does not make your gums bleed. Bacteria and infection does.
If you have any questions about flossing or your oral health, we are happy to answer them. Call our office at (435) 940-9900