San Francisco and Marin CA
It’s common knowledge that many people don’t floss regularly even though it’s recommended to do so every day. Flossing is a crucial oral care activity that removes food debris and bacteria stuck between your teeth and around your gums. Those who floss daily are less likely to feel discomfort, while those who don’t may experience some discomfort in the form of tooth or gum pain. Nevertheless, know that you are not alone. Fortunately, our Bay Area family dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today the most prevalent causes of post-flossing mouth discomfort and how to alleviate them.
Not Flossing Often
If you don’t floss regularly, you can have unpleasant gum swelling or bleeding the first time you do. That’s because food remnants stuck between teeth provide food for harmful bacteria production. So, flossing more often is the greatest solution to consistently remove food debris and bacteria that can cause pain, inflammation, swelling, and gum disease.
A Chipped or Cracked Tooth
It’s not always easy to see chips and cracks since they might be tiny or located in a non-visible area. The tiny disturbances in the tooth enamel can harbor food and bacteria that may result in cavities. If flossing causes pain in one specific area, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our Marin family dental office for an examination and treatment. Untreated issues may advance and require more extreme treatments that necessitate more time and money.
Wearing an Orthodontic Appliance
If you wear braces, you may find that regular brushing and flossing might be more challenging with wires because of the difficulty reaching into the tight spaces between your teeth. Oral discomfort might also be caused by a damaged bracket or wire.
Overzealous Brushing and Flossing
Our family dentists in the Marin area strongly suggest that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles so that you don’t irritate your gums or teeth. Additionally, there’s no need to use excessive force while brushing and flossing, and the process should never hurt. Instead, gently brush your teeth in a circular motion and include the front and back surfaces. Then, floss carefully between each tooth by gently inserting the floss between your teeth and sweeping it in a “U” shape to remove food debris and plaque from the tooth sides and your gum line. Please feel free to request a flossing demonstration at your next checkup.
Different Floss is Necessary
Traditional string floss is an exceptional tool to effectively remove food debris and bacteria from between your teeth. However, some people prefer to use other methods more suitable to their tastes. For example, a water flosser may be more comfortable for those with sensitive teeth and gums than regular string floss. A water flosser is an oral irrigator that utilizes water to flush out food particles stuck between teeth and gums.
Family Dentists in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
When you properly care for your oral health and brush twice and floss once daily, you shouldn’t have discomfort. However, when you skip a day or two and then floss, you may experience discomfort, swelling, or bleeding. Our San Francisco family dentists at Glen Park Dental encourage you to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning every six months, whether you floss regularly or not. When you engage in preventive care practices, you can protect your oral and overall health and wellness. Please call us at (415) 585-1500 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.
