Flossing is an important part of your daily dental care that should not skipped. The purpose of flossing is to remove stuck food in between your teeth that brushing cannot get to as well as break up the bacteria that can form between your teeth.
Without flossing, it is possible for bacteria to build up between the teeth and near the gums causing premature tooth decay and gum disease. A common mistake people make when flossing is doing it after brushing, but it should be done beforehand. Brushing after flossing allows your toothbrush to remove the left over debris that may be stuck between the teeth.
Pain can occur from flossing can occur for many different reasons. One problem we often see is people experiencing pain after not flossing for a long time. If this is the case, try to take it a little easier until flossing become part of your daily routine. However, it is important to come in for a visit if the pain during flossing persists over an extended amount of time or it has become painful even though you floss daily.
Causes Of Pain During Flossing
Pain during flossing can be a side effect of many problems. The most common cause for pain while flossing is early signs of gum disease. Gum disease can be cauterized in the early stages as red and swollen gums. If gum disease advances enough, it can become gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.
At the advanced stages, gum disease can lead to complications such as bleeding gums and extreme tooth decay. If tooth decay is bad enough it may be necessary to remove the infected teeth and install implants.
If you experience continual pain while flossing, it is important to schedule an appointment with us immediately as it could be a sign of other underlying problems. Gum disease can be treated early on with proper dental hygiene, but if it is left to progress could be disastrous. Remember that proper dental hygiene not only included flossing and brushing twice a day, but also visiting our office once every six months for an in-depth cleaning.